log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY AUGUST 23, 2025 GOA Cutbona jetty on alert as cholera scare returns ON PAGE 2 >> Structures existing before 2011 do not breach CRZ norms, says GCZMA Money laundering: ED raids 5 casinos in Panaji, Calangute Goa Board calls for subject-wise enrolment data of students from schools FDA border operation nets nearly 3 tonnes of unlabelled food; huge quantity of chicken, paneer seized Aadhaar valid for voter roll revision, SC tells Election Commission Supreme Court modifies 'harsh' order on stray dogs WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 30.5 C 24.7 C 81% TIDES Low: 04.32 High: 11.23 17.17 23.02 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 66 3 GOA Vasco police tighten patrolling, warn against late-night gatherings 5 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Causes of itching in diabetics and how to treat them 12 BJP corridors abuzz with talk of another cabinet reshuffle SPORTS India sees off Bangladesh challenge in SAFF U17 Women’s C'ship 15 Digambar hits out at Cong, says it was 10 yrs of humiliation SWORD OF DAMOCLES HANGING OVER TWO FACING CHARGES COMPLETE REALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIOS ON CARDS States party never supported me in troubled times THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that Congress leadership made every attempt to humiliate and demoralise him during his stint as party MLA for ten long years. Kamat, who defected to BJP in September 2022 along with seven other MLAs, was inducted in Pramod Sawantled cabinet on Thursday. He returned to the Ministerial office after almost thirteen and half years, after serving as Chief Minister in the Congress regime from 2007-2012. Speaking during Head On, Kamat recalled how he was mistreated, humiliated and left out by the Congress party, despite giving them a stable government between 20072012 and being sincere party leader and MLA, thereafter. “I was very sincere to the Congress party. They mistreated me; even then, I kept my sincerity. When I was facing several legal battles, being in opposition, Congress never supported me or backed me. I PANAJI If speculations from the power corridors of BJP are to be believed, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant may soon carry out another major cabinet reshuffle, which could see the exit of two senior ministers facing criminal charges. The move is expected to be followed by a complete reallocation of portfolios among all 12 ministers, sources said. On Thursday, Sawant expanded his cabinet to full strength by inducting former CM Digambar Kamat and ex-Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar. The portfolio distribution for the new ministers is likely by Saturday, with two sets of portfolio names doing the rounds within government circles. Both the Ministers are expected to take charge of the office on Monday, post portfolio allocation. Party sources suggest Kamat may be given PWD, Law and Judiciary, and Drinking Water, while Tawadkar could Sawant’s late-night visit to Lobo residence sparks speculation MAPUSA: In a move seen as an attempt to pacify a disgruntled party colleague, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday night visited Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who was tipped for a cabinet berth but failed to make the cut. Sawant is learnt to have called on the Lobo couple at their Parra residence a little after 10 pm, spending over half an hour in a closed-door interaction. The visit, sources said, was kept under wraps and no details emerged. Earlier in the day, both Michael and Delilah had skipped the swearing-in ceremony of two MLAs, fuelling rumour of dissent. A BJP functionary confirmed the latehandle Tribal Welfare, Sports, Legislative Affairs and Environment. However, another version indicates Kamat may instead inherit Aleixo Sequeira’s portfolios—Environment, Law and Judiciary, Legislative Affairs evening meeting but claimed ignorance of what transpired behind closed doors. Interestingly, Michael denied that the Chief Minister had visited his home. “No, no. It’s wrong news. He did not come to my place. The swearing-in happened yesterday. So that issue is over. Of course, I was not part of swearing-in,” Lobo told The Goan. Downplaying the setback, the former minister insisted he remained unfazed. “If the CM and the party does not want me to become (a minister), I will not become one. It’s very simple. We are here to serve the people,” he said, adding that if the opportunity arises, he would “anyhow” take up a ministerial role. and Captain of Ports—while Tawadkar may get Tribal Welfare, Sports, Art and Culture, and Rural Development Agency -- those earlier held by Govind Gaude. The broader reshuffle expected after Ganesh Chatur- thi and likely before September-end, is being planned in view of changing political equations and party high command directives. These developments could be the last before the end of the existing term of Sawant-led gov- ernment in March 2027. “A complete reassignment of portfolios will follow, with non-performance being a key criterion,” sources said, adding that two more Congress turncoats could find a place in the cabinet. SANKALP MEETS CM Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar on Friday met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and apologised for arriving late for the swearing in ceremony on Thursday. Amonkar, who had arrived after the swearing in ceremony of Kamat and Tawadkar was over, denied any political talks with CM, while maintaining that “the meeting was related to constituency work”. Amonkar is the only one from the eight MLAs who is yet to be accommodated in any government position. In the early days after their defection, the government had issued an order appointing him as chairperson of Bal Bhavan but the Mormugao MLA had refused to take charge. THE GOAN I NETWORK DIGAMBAR UNPLUGGED Despite loyalty and long-standing service, Congress humiliated and sidelined me Even when I faced multiple legal battles as an Opposition leader, the party failed to back me Despite being the senior-most MLA, Congress did not appoint me Leader of Opposition in 2017 or 2022 Party did not project me as the chief ministerial candidate in two consecutive elections was hurt,” he said. Recollecting the past, Kamat, the longest standing Margao MLA for almost three decades, lamented that despite being a senior most leader in the party, Congress high >Continued on P6
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