BJP govt in Goa to be sworn in on Wednesday

Panaji: The swearing-in ceremony of the newly-elected BJP-led government will be held on March 23, after the leader of the BJP legislative party is elected.

"The observer, Narendra Singh Tomar, and co-observer L Murugan will arrive in Goa on Wednesday, and on the same day, the leader of the BJP legislative party will be elected. Once the leader is elected, the swearing-in ceremony of the new government will be held that day itself," BJP state president Sadanand Shet Tanavade told TOI.

BJP has emerged as the single-largest party with 20 seats in the recently held assembly election. It had fought the election under the leadership of incumbent chief minister Pramod Sawant and contested all 40 seats on its own.

A senior BJP functionary said the swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held at the newly constructed Darbar Hall at Raj Bhavan. "The decision on the venue for the swearing-in ceremony will be held soon. Both Tomar and Murugan are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government," he said.

BJP had already garnered support from three independent MLAs-Chandrakant Shetye (Bicholim), Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco (Curtorim) and Antonio Vas (Cortalim)- and two MGP MLAs Ramakrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar (Marcaim) and Jit Arolkar (Mandrem).

While the Goa BJP has zeroed in on more than 80% of the new cabinet, the remaining berths could be decided within the next two-three days.

The central leadership has cleared those names, the senior functionary said.

Sawant, along with Tanavade, recently met PM Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, BJP national president J P Nadda and others.