Goa Floor Test LIVE updates: BJP passes test, Pramod Sawant secure in CM's seat with support of 20 MLAs

What is a floor test and why did Pramod Sawant need it?

A floor test is a constitutional mechanism undertaken to gauge whether an executive functionary has the support of the legislature. While a sitting chief minister appointed by a governor after being voted to power by people can be asked to prove his majority in a floor test, this is not the situation which gave rise to the necessity of one in the case of Pramod Sawant.

Sawant, who only came to power after the passing of his mentor and the state's CM Manohar Parrikar, needed to prove that he enjoyed the support of the Goa Assembly as he is a newcomer in this role. 

How the numbers stacked up for Pramod Sawant

The 20 MLAs who voted in favour of Pramod Sawant's new dispensation in Goa include 11 MLAs of the BJP, three from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, three Goa Forward legislators and three Independent MLAs. 

Of the 15 MLAs who voted against the motion,14 belong to the Congress and one is an Nationalist Congress Party MLA.  

Pramod Sawant wins confidence motion with support of 20 MLAs; 15 oppose move

Twenty MLAs stand when asked if they support the confidence motion, 15 remain seated as Pramod Sawant wins floor test.

Pramod Sawant moves Confidence Motion

MLAs have been asked to stand if they are for the motion.

House observes silence

The House observed a period of silence to remember three Goan leaders, including Manohar Parrikar, who passed away recently.

Pramod Sawant takes the floor, pays homage to mentor

New Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant is now speaking on his mentor and political guru Manohar Parrikar. He began his speech by thanking all the ministers and leaders, including Smriti Irani and Sushil Modi, who have paid condolences to the former Goa chief minister's passing.

Sawant broke down repeatedly in the course of his speech. 

Parrikar an architect of modern Goa, says Rohan Khaunte

In his speech at the House, MLA from Porvorim constituency, Rohan Khaunte, has called Parrikar the "architect of modern Goa".

"We will miss him in the House. His beautiful replies and steady grasp of matters will be dearly missed," Khaunte said.

MLAs speak at length on Parrikar's legacy

Goa Forward Party Vijai Sardesai and BJP MLA Manohar Ajgaonkar both held forth on the former chief minister's legacy. Sardesai also spoke on the popularity of Francis D'Souza. 

Condolence Motion remembers Manohar Parrikar, Francis D'Souza and Vishnu Wagh

The Condolence Motion was moved not just for Manohar Parrikar, but also recently deceased BJP leader and one time deputy chief minister Francis D'Souza and former deputy speaker Vishnu Wagh, who also passed away recently.

Churchill Alemao remembers multi-faceted Manohar Parrikar

Churchill Alemao, former chief minister of Goa, in his condolence speech is highlighting the role Parrikar played while carrying out his various responsibilities, including that as a sports minister of Goa.

Priol MLA Govind Gaude lauds Manohar Parrikar's role in state

Priol MLA Govind Gaude is speaking at the moment. He too is paying homage to deceased former CM Manohar Parrikar. Gaude took oath as a minister on Tuesday.

Manohar Parrikar was the true minority face in the BJP: Mauvin Godinho says in Assembly

Mauvin Godinho is speaking at the moment. The Dabolim MLA has taken the chance to remember Manohar Parrikar and his role in the state. "I am proud of the role the BJP has played in the state and the Centre," he has said.

Godinho was one of the eleven who took oath as minister, early on Tuesday.

Speaker Michael Lobo begins proceedings

New Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant is seated in Manohar Parrikar's traditional seat in the House. In his traditional seat, which was that of the Speaker's, is now Michael Lobo.

Assembly proceedings begin for floor test

Assembly proceedings have begun for the crucial floor test of Pramod Sawant, who was sworn in as new Goa chief minister on Tuesday.

MLAs reach Goa assembly

All of the 36 MLAs of the Goa assembly have arrived at the venue for the floor test, reported Indian Express.

The MLAs who are now waiting for Governor Mridula Sinha include ailing minister Pandurang Madkaikar. In 2018, Madkaikar had suffered a brain stroke in Mumbai.

Sawant among five BJP chief ministers below 50 years of age

Several on social media have drawn attention to Pramod Sawant's age. One such was journalist Akhilesh Sharma who pointed out that of the BJP’s 12 incumbent chief ministers, five are below 50 years of age, including Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Pema Khandu, Biplab Deb and Pramod Sawant.

100% confident of victory in floor test, repeats Sawant

Ahead of the crucial floor test of his government, Goa chief minister and BJP leader Pramod Sawant repeated that he was confident of victory. "We have 100 per cent confidence that we will win," he said, while heading into the Assembly.

New Goa CM to begin job with 11 new ministers who took oath along with him

Along with BJP man Pramod Sawant, 11 ministers took oath to complete the new power structure in Goa.

They are Sudin Dhavlikar, Vijai Sardesai, Manohar Azgaonkar, Rohan Khaunte, Govind Gaude, Vinod Palienkar, Jayesh Salgaonkar, Mauvin Godinho, Vishwajit Rane, Milind Naik and Nilesh Cabral.

Congress blames Goa governor for not allowing single largest party to form govt

In the hours leading up to Pramod Sawant taking oath as Goa chief minister, the Congress's Goa wing had stepped up attacks against the BJP amidst hectic overnight action at Raj Bhavan. Congress had especially lashed out against the Goa governor.

"We're strongly condemning undemocratic action of Goa Governor Mridula Sinha for not allowing our single largest party to form the govt and allowing BJP to carry on horse trading despite BJP not having sufficient numbers to form the government," Sunil Kawthankar of the Goa Congress had told ANI.

Goa government to have two deputy chief ministers

There will be two deputy chief ministers in Pramod Sawant's government.

The new chief minister has named Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party and Sudin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, appeasing two of its key coalition allies.

Parrikar was Sawant's political mentor, had brought him into politics

Shortly before the clock struck 2 am Tuesday, Pramod Pandurang Sawant, took over as Goa chief minister. On the lips of the former Goa Speaker were words of gratitude and grief for Manohar Parrikar.  

“Whatever I am today is all due to Manohar Parrikar. It was he who brought me to politics, I became the Speaker and the chief minister today, due to him," Sawant had said in praise of his mentor who battled pancreatic cancer for a year before his end came.

Parrikar was Sawant's political mentor, had brought him into politics

Shortly before the clock struck 2 am Tuesday, Pramod Pandurang Sawant, took over as Goa chief minister. On the lips of the former Goa Speaker were words of gratitude and grief for Manohar Parrikar.  

“Whatever I am today is all due to Manohar Parrikar. It was he who brought me to politics, I became the Speaker and the chief minister today, due to him," Sawant had said in praise of his mentor who battled pancreatic cancer for a year before his end came.

Will not be accepting flowers as state is in mourning: Pramod Sawant

Pramod Sawant has said that he will not be accepting congratulatory messages or flowers in the light of the fact that Goa is in mourning over the death of its former chief minister Manohar Parrikar. 

"I have taken charge as chief minister with utmost humility and sense of gratitude towards my idol and mentor Manoharbhai. However the state mourning continues and hence I appeal to all my friends, family and karyakartas to refrain from presenting me with bouquets and greetings. Rather I look forward to your blessings and support in carrying ahead the glorious legacy of commitment towards good governance! Jai Hind!," he wrote on Facebook.

Pramod Sawant is one of the younger CMs to take charge in India 

A former RSS-man, 45-year-old Sawant is among the few chief ministers of the country who are in their forties. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, at 48, is another.

New Goa CM to head to Delhi to meet central leadership after floor test

Sawant told ANI that he is eager to pay a visit to Delhi on Thursday to meet his party's leadership in the Centre.

Speaking about two Lok Sabha seats, North Goa and South Goa, in the state, he said: "We are definitely winning both seats in Goa in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Allies are with us and are going to support us."

Sawant quashes rumours of coalition disagreement

Refusing to comment on various allegations being made by Congress, the chief minister told ANI, "All our coalition partners are wholeheartedly with us. We have held meetings with everybody and have formulated a strategy for the next three years with the motto of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas".

"We have 21 MLAs and hence we are definitely confident of not having any problem in floor test," he added.

Floor test to end impasse over government formation

When Manohar Parrikar passed away on Sunday, the BJP was compelled to swing into action even as MLAs of ally Maharashtrwawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) huddled in a meeting.

The impasse over government formation, which included dealing with stubborn allies wanting to extract their pound of flesh, was resolved with the deft handling of the situation by the two senior BJP leaders, party sources said on Tuesday.

BJP president Amit Shah and Union minister Nitin Gadkari played behind-the-scene roles in ensuring the party retained power in Goa, after the death of Manohar Parrikar, sources familiar with the developments said. 

PTI

Two deputy CMs in Goa

As part of the recalibrated coalition after Manohar Parrikar — a popular chief minister who had the unstinted support of allies — there will be two deputy chief ministers in the tiny seaside state. MGP leader Sudhin Dhavalikar and Goa Forward's Vijay Sardesai will both be deputies to the BJP's Pramod Sawant.

How the numbers stack up

The ruling coalition has 21 legislators — 12 from the BJP, three each of allies Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and three independents. The opposition Congress has 14 lawmakers.

Goa BJP ministers have been moved to 5-star resort 

There will be no problem, assures Pramod Sawant ahead of floor test

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, chief minister Pramod Sawant said, “We are going for the floor test tomorrow. There will be no problem. I am 100 percent confident. The first priority is to take control of the administration. I want to give Goa a good administration. The second priority is to complete all of Manohar Parrikar’s projects which are currently ongoing."

"Parrikar managed it for two years. So I will be able to do it for the next three years. It is a proud moment for me to go from the Speaker’s post to the CM. Yes, this government will have two Deputy Chief Ministers. The first Deputy Chief Minister will be Sudin Dhavalikar and the second will be Vijai Sardesai," he said.

Floor test at 11.30 am today; BJP MLAs moved to resort

Governor Mridula Sinha has convened a special session of the Assembly at 11.30 am to enable the chief minister to prove his majority in the House, reports said. However, ahead of the trust vote, the BJP has moved its legislators to a five-star hotel ahead of the trust vote, NDTV reported

BJP has support of 21 legislators; Congress single largest party

The ruling coalition has 21 legislators — 12 from the BJP, three each of allies Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and three independents. While the Opposition Congress has 14 lawmakers. The strength of the 40-member house has been reduced to 36 after the death of two lawmakers and the resignation of two Congress lawmakers.