PANAJI: Amid speculation about a potential cabinet reshuffle in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today said that any changes in his cabinet would be due to "political compulsion" and not "performance".
Sawant had earlier this month, along with party president Damodar Naik submitted a performance cum report card of his cabinet colleagues to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior BJP leaders.
BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh and other senior leaders are expected to visit the State next month.
Sawant said that the current cabinet is doing a very good job, and any changes in the cabinet have nothing to do with any minister's performance.
"The current cabinet is doing a good job. If we need to accommodate someone, I, along with the party high command, will decide," he said.
" If anyone is dropped, it’s a political compulsion, not a reflection of their performance," the Chief Minister added.
Speculations were rife about a cabinet reshuffle to accommodate Congress turncoats for quite some time, or rather, since the time Lok Sabha polls were held.
The buzz got momentum after Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar announced the possible changes in the Sawant-led government within a fortnight or a month.
Tawadkar had said that there have been speculations with regard to the possible induction of MLAs like Digambar Kamat, Nilesh Cabral, Sankalp Amonkar and Michael Lobo. “Everything will be settled in the coming days,” he had said.
Last year, State remained abuzz over pa possible reshuffle in the Sawant-led cabinet and the same gained momentum after outgoing BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade hinted at the likely development in the new year. The news had remained speculative throughout 2024-with the BJP ditching several deadlines.
There were initial talks about Sawant replacing two of his Ministers to accommodate the new entrants.
