Azgaonkar resigns from BJP, sworn in as Cabinet minister in Goa

Panaji, Jan 8 (UNI) In swift developments, Mr Manohar Azgaonkar was today sworn in as a Cabinet Minister in the Pratapsinh Rane-led government in Goa, within hours after he resigned from the BJP to join the Congress.

Azgaonkar, a BJP MLA from Dhargal, a reserved constituency, announced his resignation in the morning and his resignation was subsequently accepted by the Speaker. Later, he filled the membership form of the Congress and handed it over to State party Unit President Ravi Naik in the presence of AICC General Secretary Margaret Alva.

He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor S C Jamir at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhavan. Among those present for the swearing-in ceremony were Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane, his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs and Margaret Alva. He will be given a portfolio shortly.

The 53-year-old Azgaonkar, who is a businessman, was member of the Third Legislative Assembly of Goa in June 1999 as a Congress-I representative. He was Cabinet Minister for Panchayati Raj from November 24, 2000 till February 27, 2002. He was re-elected to the Fourth Legislative Assembly in June 2002 on a BJP ticket and again became Panchayati Raj and Civil Supplies Minister on June 5, that same year.

Azgaonkar said he had joined the Congress with all his supporters from the constituency. Out of 52 members from nine Panchayats in his constituency, 47 members also joined the Congress.

Talking to reporters, he said ''BJP is a communal party dominated by RSS. Though, I worked honestly with the party, I was not given a free hand.'' ''Today, I have come back to the Congress and will work for development schemes in my constituency. I will work to strengthen the secular credentials of the Congress headed by Sonia Gandhi,'' he said.

Later, former Chief Minister and BJP leader Manohar Parrikar told reporters that Azgaonkar had resigned from the party and joined Congress as ''he was hungry for power''.

With the resignation of Azgaonkar, the strength of the BJP has come down to 14 from 15 in the Assembly.

UNI