Pramod Sawant retained as Goa Chief Minister for second term

The BJP on Monday retained Pramod Sawant as the chief minister of Goa, ending speculation over whether the incumbent or senior MLA Vishwaji Rane would get to lead the state. The ruling party is set to form the government with the support of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and three independent MLAs. Sawant's name for the top post was cleared at a meeting of the newly elected BJP MLAs and senior party leaders in Panaji in the evening.

The meeting was also attended by BJP central observers Narendra Singh Tomar and L Murugan, Assembly poll in-charge Devendra Fadnavis and the party's state unit president, Sadanand Shet Tanavade."It has been decided that Dr Pramod Sawant would be the leader of the House," Mr Tomar told reporters after the meeting. Mr Tomar said MLA Vishwajit Rane proposed Sawant's name as the leader of the BJP legislature party. His proposal was seconded by other MLAs, including Mauvin Godinho and Rohan Khaunte.The BJP won 20 seats, just one short of majority in the 40-member Assembly, in the February 14 polls. It has received support from two MLAs of the MGP and three Independent legislators.