CM Sawant in New Delhi today, cabinet reshuffle likely anytime
Augusto Rodrigues
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s visit to New Delhi today is seen as an indication of a cabinet reshuffle that was but expected after the eight Congress MLAs switched sides.
“The chief minister has gone to New Delhi to meet Home Minister Amit Shah, among other things, to primarily discuss the cabinet reshuffle,” stated a senior government functionary on the condition of anonymity.
“The reshuffle may take place after Liberation Day celebrations as ministers are assigned to unfurl the national flag in various places. This could be the main reason for the delay,” added a member from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
Though speculations have been adrift as to who may be dropped or added to the cabinet, the relieving order of Geeta Nagvenkar as executive director of the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG), according to reliable sources, is an indication that Govind Gaude may lose the Ministry of Sports.
It may be noted here that Ajay Gaude was relieved as executive director of SAG on November 8 amidst speculation that all was not well with the manner in which Govind was handling the sports portfolio.
Geeta, who was appointed in place of Ajay, was relieved this morning, giving credence to the much-talked-about disenchantment between the chief minister and his sports minister. (See GT Digital, November 24, 2022). Geeta has been posted as director of environment.
“Yes, the CM has gone to Delhi, and he will be meeting Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the modalities of the cabinet reshuffle before announcing the same. This is a standard procedure. I am not aware of who is going to be dropped or added into his cabinet but am sure his trip to Delhi is to discuss the cabinet reshuffle,” a senior BJP member confirmed.
“There have been rumours that people are going to be dropped because of their performance, and some are going to be dropped to accommodate the newcomers from the Congress. I am not aware of the same. However, a reshuffle is imminent. I, actually, was under the impression that the cabinet reshuffle was to take place today itself. It can happen anytime. I think that is the prerogative of the chief minister,” stated another member of the core BJP group on the condition of anonymity.
That a cabinet reshuffle is imminent has been clearly borne out after discussion with members of the government and the BJP. That it could be before Christmas, now seems probable.