Kamat sworn in as Goa CM, promises ''people-friendly'' regime

Panaji, June 8 (UNI) Businessman-turned-politician Digambar Vasant Kamat was today sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Goa, at the head of a four-member Congress-led coalition government.

Governor S C Jamir administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Kamat, who emerged as a 'darkhorse' for the post, bypassing leading contenders like caretaker Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane and GPCC president Ravi Naik.

Others, who were sworn in as Ministers, were Mr Naik, NCP legislature party leader Jose Phillip D'Souza and MGP leader RamaKrishna (Sudin) Dhavlikar.

Interacting with mediapersons after the ceremony, the new Chief Minister vowed to develop a 'people-friendly'' government for the uplift of the commonman and asserted that he would spare no effort to resolve all ''burning issues'', including the garbage menace.

He said he would ''undo'' land conversions effected by the previous government under the ''controversial'' Regional Plan-2011, besides trying to come out with a new regional plan acceptable to all.

''I will consult all the coalition partners for the appointment of Deputy Chief Minister. The Cabinet may be expanded in three to four days,'' he added.

Mr Kamat, the 17th Chief Minister of Goa and successor to Mr Rane, was earlier elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party in its meeting that began at midnight last night and lasted till 0100 hrs today.

Several senior party legislators, office bearers, besides central observer R K Dhawan, and AICC general secretary in charge of Goa Margaret Alva, bureaucrats and civilians were also present on the occasion.

He emerged as the ''darkhorse'' after the central observers Mr Dhawan and Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Ms Alva held a marathon one-to-one session with the legislators and senior leaders to elicit their opinion on the choice of leadership.

Though Mr Rane and Mr Naik were the hot contenders for the coveted post, Mr Kamat became the compromise candidate at the eleventh hour.

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