PANJIM: The BJP has started an informal exercise of identifying new members in an apparent Cabinet reshuffle exercise.
There are speculations that there could be three changes in the ministerial set-up.
However, the ‘good news’ has not been disclosed till date.
Now, sources disclosed that the BJP is identifying ministers to be dropped and included. It is learnt that this was discussed at the meeting of MLAs at Porvorim, on Monday.
When asked about the Cabinet reshuffle during the post cabinet briefing, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, “Right now the focus is only on the Assembly session.”
He said, “There is not going to be a reshuffle. We are concentrating on the Assembly. Only Assembly work has been taken up.”
Sawant said the meeting discussed preparations for the ensuing Assembly session, including discussion on bills, departmental matters, budget, etc.
“Discussion on full budget and supplementary budget was held. We also discussed various bills which are to be presented in the Assembly. Discussion was also held on the ordinances passed by the Centre. We need to ratify them,” he said
He said Mopa Airport link road, which connects the airport to the national highways, will be inaugurated by Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on July 11, at 5 pm.
Meanwhile, former minister Nilesh Cabral said that he is ready to take any responsibility given to him.
“I have no problem taking responsibility. Even I am ready to accept the responsibility of chief ministership, but it has to be given. Actually the party has to decide.”
It may be recalled that the then Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Nilesh Cabral had tendered his resignation from the cabinet in November last year.
When contacted, Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar said that the meeting mainly discussed the preparations for the upcoming Assembly session starting from July 5. The meeting was held in two groups - one for ministers and the other for MLAs, including independents backing the government.