Francis D’Souza continues to be Deputy CM

Three-time Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Laxmikant Parsekar ,who was Health Minister in the Manohar Parrikar government, was on Saturday sworn in as the 11th Chief Minister of Goa, bringing down the curtain on a three-day drama.

Governor Mridula Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Parsekar and nine Ministers, including two from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, the BJP’s ally. Two Cabinet berths will be filled later, Mr. Parsekar said after the swearing-in at the Raj Bhavan. Independent Avertano Furtado, who was part of Parrikar Ministry, has been dropped.

“The Ministers’ portfolios will be allocated after taking the views of Mr. Parrikar, who will be back in Goa after taking the oath as Defence Minister, on November 12 or 13,” Mr. Parsekar told presspersons in a clear indication that Mr. Parrikar would have a considerable hold on the new government.

Earlier, after a prolonged one-to-one consultative process, the BJP’s observers, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and B.S. Yeddyurappa, announced the name of Mr. Parsekar, ignoring dissent from Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza. Mr. D’Souza later joined the new Cabinet again as Deputy Chief Minister. Party sources said he was promised the Home portfolio hitherto held by Mr. Parrikar.