Goa CM Sawant proves BJP-led govt’s majority in Assembly

Panaji, March 20

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday proved the majority of his BJP-led government in the Assembly, comfortably winning the floor test in the House.

In the evening, Sudin Dhavalikar and Vijai Sardesai were appointed deputy chief ministers.

Twenty MLAs voted for the motion of confidence in the two-day old government, while 15 opposed it.

The special session of the House was convened by Governor Mridula Sinha to conduct the floor test, after Sawant was sworn in as the CM in the wee hours of Tuesday.

Besides 11 members from the BJP, three each from Goa Forward Party, MGP and Independents supported Sawant during the head count conducted in the House.

The Assembly session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo.

All 14 MLAs of Congress and one from the NCP stood up against the motion.

After winning the trust vote, Sawant appealed to all the members to join hands with him to ensure that developmental work reached every nook and corner of the state.

The change in leadership in the coastal state was necessitated due to the death of then CM Manohar Parrikar on Sunday. PTI