Parrikar to be sworn in Goa CM on Tuesday evening

BJP leader Manohar Parrikar, who on Monday morning resigned as Defence Minister, will be sworn in as Chief Minister at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, government sources said.

Parrikar along with members of his cabinet will be sworn-in by Goa Governor Dr. Mridula Sinha at Raj Bhavan.

The Bharatiya Janata Party in Goa, which won 13 seats in the February 4 election, has cobbled together a coalition of 21 legislators, which includes three MLAs each from regional parties, namely Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Goa Forward and two Independent legislators.

BJP sources said that a majority of the cabinet berths are expected to be offered to the party's coalition partners.

"The details are still being worked out. We will retain Finance and Home ministry. Preliminary talks about portfolio allocation with our partners were conducted by Nitin Gadkariji (Union Minister). The finer details are being worked out by Parrikar himself in consultation with other party leaders," the party source said.

--IANS

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