Pramod Sawant to be new Goa CM, Sardesai and Dhavalikar to be deputy CMs

Sardesai, Dhavalikar to be deputy CMs as BJP reaches a new deal with allies

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was cremated with state honours in Panaji on Monday afternoon, after which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said its leader Pramod Sawant would be the next CM of the state.

To accommodate its allies, BJP sources said, Goa Forward Party's Vijai Sardesai and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) Sudin Dhavalikar would be deputy chief ministers. The Congress, which is the single largest party in the state legislature, said the BJP was trying to create an “artificial majority” in the state.

Parrikar, 63, passed away on Sunday after a prolonged illness. Thousands queued up to bid farewell to Parrikar.