log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY JUNE 20, 2025 @thegoanonline 14 pages GOA GSPCB suspends ‘Green Category’ tag for meat shops amid backlash Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 3 2 GOA 'Detached dream’: Madgavkars pick holes in Master Plan 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Recognising the signs of a hiatus hernia It was my sole decision: CM on Gaude’s removal REFRAINS FROM REASONS, RULES OUT IMMEDIATE CABINET RESHUFFLE; BJP CHIEF SAYS DECISIONS ARE TAKEN IN PARTY’S INTEREST ON PAGE 3 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A day after sacking Govind Gaude from his State cabinet, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that the decision was solely his own, while refraining from divulging specific reasons. In a late evening development on Goa Revolution Day on Wednesday, Sawant removed Art and Culture and Sports Minister Gaude from the cabinet. The decision arose following Gaude's outspoken allegations of corruption within the Tribal Welfare Department, which is under the Chief Minister himself. The accusation had stirred political tension within the ruling party with the BJP reacting sharply. “It is my decision,” Sawant told media persons, after initially dodging the question. Sawant, however, ruled out Oppn slams govt over corruption, ‘selective target’, seeks clarity PANAJI: The opposition parties have slammed the Pramod Sawant-led government over alleged corruption and have accused it of being indulged in “selective target” while seeking clarity over the removal of the Minister. Nothing is decided for now… will let you all know on cabinet reshuffle or plans to fill the vacant cabinet berth,” — Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister immediate full-scale cabinet reshuffle or plans to fill the vacant cabinet berth. “Nothing is decided for now…will let u all know,” he said when asked about when the new Minister would be inducted. Gaude has actively served as cabinet Minister from 20192022 and from 2022 till June 18, BJP leaders refrain from comments PANAJI: Senior BJP leaders have largely refrained from making detailed comments on Govind Gaude's removal and instead attributed the decision to Chief Minister. 2025. Despite being the firsttime MLA, winning as an Independent in 2017 from Priol Assembly constituency, he went on to become the Minister in Manohar Parrikar’s cabinet. He continued as a MGP distances itself from turmoil PANAJI: The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party (MGP), the alliance partners in the BJP-led government, has distanced itself from the latest political turmoil. minister in Sawant’s cabinet after the death of Parrikar in 2019. In January 2022, Gaude resigned from Sawant’s cabinet and as an Independent MLA to join the BJP. After joining the BJP, he was allotted a par- ty ticket to contest the 2022 Assembly election where he won and was retained in the cabinet. BJP Goa President Damodar Naik said that “some decisions need to be taken in the interest of the party”. He said that the party will not tolerate any indiscipline or something that goes against its ideology and hence had been reviewing the performance of the Ministers and MLAs. “We had submitted report cards of everyone to the high command. Our only intention is to see that their failures don’t impact the party's image. People have faith in BJP and our action should reflect that,” Naik said. Refusing to comment on further cabinet reshuffle, Naik said that it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister. “Cabinet related decisions are made by the Chief Minister in consultation with the party high command,” he said. 10 SPORTS 14 Gill set for great leap as India INDIA REVAMPS TEST LINE-UP hits red-ball reboot WITH GILL, PANT IN MIDDLE >>12 CM’s ‘better days’ hint fuels ministerial buzz around Lobo Calangute MLA and his wife in spotlight AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA With the dramatic ouster of Priol MLA Govind Gaude from the State cabinet, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has set the stage for a crucial political reshuffle – one that could have significant implications for internal party dynamics and regional representation in Goa. The vacuum left by Gaude’s removal has already triggered speculation across political corridors. Among the most prominent names doing the rounds are former chief minister Digambar Kamat and Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar. But perhaps most intriguingly, the spotlight is now firmly on Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and his wife, Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo. Michael Lobo, a three-time MLA and former minister, appears to be positioning himself for a comeback into the cabinet. Political observers note that his consistent electoral success in the coastal belt and his role in facilitating defections from the Congress to the BJP have only strengthened his standing within the party. A senior BJP functionary CONTENDERS FOR CABINET BERTH? „„Michael Lobo (Calangute MLA) and Delilah Lobo (Siolim MLA) emerge as leading names „„Lobo is a threetime MLA, former minister, and key figure in Congress-toBJP defections „„His grassroots connect in North Goa and electoral track record bolster his chances „„Delilah's possible inclusion would boost gender representation – currently absent in Sawant's cabinet „„Her appointment could strengthen BJP's hold over Siolim and Bardez regions admitted that Lobo’s grassroots connection and his influence in North Goa’s coastal constituencies make him a critical asset to the party’s future strategies. “If Kamat is being considered, then Michael’s chances are equally strong. He’s been loyal to the BJP’s broader project and understands how to move the grassroots machinery,” the leader said. Political observers note that CM Sawant’s recent birthday greeting to Michael Lobo, in which he cryptically said that "better days" were ahead for the coastal leader, might have been more than just a ceremonial wish – it may have signalled his return to the cor- ridors of power. However, the plot thickens with the possibility of Delilah Lobo entering the cabinet. Her inclusion would not only tick the box for gender representation – currently absent in the Sawant cabinet – but would also consolidate the BJP’s hold in Siolim and the greater Bardez region. Delilah, for her part, has maintained a cautious posture but did not rule out the opportunity. “Michael has been a minister and has done well. I believe he deserves it more than me,” she said. “But if the party thinks a woman should be >Continued on P6