"Always Party's Decision": Pramod Sawant on BJP's CM Face for 2027
Goa CM Pramod Sawant says the decision on the BJP's CM face for 2027 rests with the party, emphasizing his commitment to victory.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has addressed the growing speculation regarding who will lead the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming 2027 Assembly elections. Speaking on the matter, the Chief Minister maintained that the selection of the party's leadership is strictly an internal matter, stating that the final call rests entirely with the party hierarchy.
Sawant, who has been at the helm of the state since 2019, emphasized that his primary objective is not his personal role, but the ultimate victory of the BJP in the state. He noted that as a dedicated party worker, his duty is to ensure the party wins, regardless of the specific responsibility or position he might be assigned.
Commitment to the Party and State
Reflecting on his tenure, Sawant highlighted the trust the party has placed in him over the last few years. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve Goa and reiterated his loyalty to the organization's mandate.
"Definitely, it is a party's decision. It is always the party's decision," Sawant told ANI. "But from 2019 till now, the party has given me the opportunity to serve the state. By the 27th of May, everything will continue according to the party's orders. This is expected because of the election in 2027."
He further added that his focus remains unwavering on the electoral outcome: "To win the party in the state, whatever I can do, I have been doing and will continue to do. After all, it is my job to win the party. As a party worker, I have always been working for the party. No matter what role I play in the elections of 2027, winning the party will always be my duty."
The 'Double-Engine' Advantage
The Chief Minister expressed strong confidence that the electorate would once again choose the BJP to lead Goa. He attributed this optimism to the visible progress in infrastructure and the effectiveness of various welfare schemes implemented under the current administration.
Sawant pointed to the synergy between the state and central governments, often referred to as the "double-engine government," as a key driver of public satisfaction. He noted that the people have seen significant shifts in social sectors and human resource development compared to previous decades of rule by the MGP and Congress.
"Whatever work we do, we show it to the people and win," he remarked. "In the history of Goa, 65 years of liberation have been completed. For 50 years, MGP and Congress ruled there. For the last 15 years, we have been serving the people... looking at all those schemes, people today like the double engine government, the Modi government."
Rising Opposition and Political Landscape
As the 2027 elections approach, the political atmosphere in Goa is heating up. Opposition forces are already consolidating to challenge the BJP's dominance. The Goa Forward Party (GFP) has moved to form alliances with "like-minded secular political forces" to present a unified front.
Notably, an alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the GFP was recently announced by AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and GFP leader Vijai Sardesai. This coalition is positioning itself under the banner of 'Goa First,' aiming to offer an alternative to both the BJP and the Congress.
The current composition of the 40-member Goa Assembly reflects a competitive landscape:
- BJP: 20 seats (won in 2022, just one shy of a majority)
- Congress: 11 seats
- Independents: 3 seats
- AAP: 2 seats
- GFP: 1 seat
- MGP: 2 seats
With the Assembly elections expected to take place before March 2027, the battle for Goa's political future is officially underway.