india

Updated: Jun 21, 2020 20:28 IST

Newly-sworn in Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant has said he will take forward the legacy of his predecessor Manohar Parrikar as he admitted he had a “big responsibility” before him.

Parrikar, who was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in February last year, died on Sunday evening. Political uncertainty arose in Goa on Monday after a decision by the BJP top brass to elevate Sawant, the Speaker in the state assembly, was not fully accepted by allies MGP and GFP initially, a BJP leader said on condition of anonymity.

The more than 24-hour discussion over who would succeed Parrikar exposed deep fissures in the current coalition government that is likely to persist posing a unique challenge for the relatively inexperienced Sawant.

“Parrikar is not amongst us now and the responsibility has been given collectively to me by my party, alliance partners and independent MLAs. This is a big responsibility. Manohar Parrikar was a visionary leader and he had carried out a great body of work for the state,” Sawant said.

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Sawant said he planned to focus on “human and infrastructure development” explaining that Parrikar “did a lot of work for the youth, people and in the social sector through the schemes he conceived.”

“Whatever time is needed I will give for Goa. I and my associates will work on the principle of ‘Antyodaya,’ to reach out to the last person in society,” the 45-year-old said.

Besides the chief minister, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party’s (MGP’s) Sudin Dhavalikar and the Goa Forward Party’s (GFP’s) Vijai Sardesai were sworn in as ministers but given the titular post of deputy chief minister.