‘Out Of Compulsion’: Goa Minister Resigns To Make Way For Cong Turncoat's Induction Into Cabinet

Goa PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral said that he was stepping down to enable the party to fulfill its previously made commitments, paving the way for the inclusion of MLA Aleixo Sequeira.

Goa's Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Nilesh Cabral tendered his resignation on Sunday

Source : ANI

Goa's Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Nilesh Cabral tendered his resignation from the cabinet led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday. The move paves the way for the inclusion of MLA Aleixo Sequeira, one of the eight legislators who switched allegiance from the opposition Congress to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state last year. In his resignation letter addressed to Chief Minister Sawant, Cabral expressed that he was stepping down to enable the party to fulfill its previously made commitments, news agency PTI reported.

Chief Minister Sawant confirmed the resignation, mentioning that it has been forwarded to Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai for acceptance. He emphasised that the decision for Cabral to step down was taken by the party to accommodate another MLA in the cabinet.

BJP MLA Aleixo Sequeira was sworn in as a minister in the cabinet in the presence of Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai and Goa CM Pramod Sawant.

"Earlier, I was an MLA, I was answerable to the people of my constituency. Now, being a minister, I am answerable to the whole of Goa... With your support, I hope I perform well," he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Nilesh Cabral, a 51-year-old BJP legislator representing the Curchorem assembly constituency, held the portfolios of PWD, law and judiciary, and other departments in the Sawant-led cabinet.

In his resignation letter, Cabral expressed his departure with a heavy heart from the esteemed position of the PWD minister, as well as the environment, legislative affairs, and law and judiciary departments. The letter stated, "As requested by you and senior members of the party, due to commitments you have previously made, I tender my resignation from your cabinet of ministers", as quoted by PTI.

Speaking to ANI about his decision to quit, the BJP leader emphasised that his decision was taken "out of compulsion"

"BJP had made a commitment to some Congress MLAs who had merged into the BJP. When these people merged into the BJP there was a commitment made by the senior leaders. I was called by the senior leaders & they requested that to keep the commitment you will give a sacrifice. When senior and tall leaders of the BJP are making the statement I don't see why I should not listen to it. So based on their request I have resigned. I am a senior BJP leader, there is no doubt about my seniority. I am sure the party must have something in mind and in the interest of the party they asked me to resign," he said.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, acknowledging Cabral's contribution, stated, "I appreciate Nilesh Cabral for taking this decision. He has contributed significantly to the party and the government. This change is part of the party's strategy to give opportunities to all legislators."

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