Goa may soon see some big political changes as Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira has hinted that he might resign. On Wednesday, Sequeira admitted that there was “some truth” to reports about his possible exit from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s cabinet. He currently handles the Environment, Law and Judiciary, Legislative Affairs and Captain of Ports departments. Sequeira said he has not given his resignation yet but is seriously thinking about it due to “personal reasons.”
According to party sources, Sequeira could submit his resignation to Chief Minister Sawant later in the day. If he steps down, two posts in the cabinet will open up allowing a reshuffle. Former Chief Minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat is seen as the most likely replacement. In addition, Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar is expected to step down from his Speaker’s post to join the cabinet. Tawadkar who is a senior tribal leader is believed to be included to strengthen the BJP’s social and political balance in the state.
Chief Minister Sawant is in Delhi for a meeting on GST matters but is expected to return soon. Talks of reshuffle have been ongoing for months. Last week, BJP state president Damodar Naik hinted that changes could take place before the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. This would be the second reshuffle of the Sawant cabinet since the BJP formed the government in 2022. Earlier in June, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude was removed after accusing Sawant of corruption in the Tribal Welfare department.
Sequeira, a former Congress leader who represents the Nuvem constituency, joined the BJP in 2022 and was made a minister in November 2023. His inclusion was described by the party as an assurance fulfilled. However, his time as a minister has not been smooth. He has faced health issues and has also been criticised after the BJP performed poorly in Salcete during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP trailed behind the Congress in seven out of eight constituencies in the region and eventually lost the South Goa seat by more than 13,000 votes.
In addition, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and former state party president Sadanand Shet Tanavade in January questioned whether Sequeira was the “right fit” for the BJP and whether he should contest the 2027 assembly elections on a party ticket. Though he later toned down his remarks, they reflected growing unease with Sequeira within the party.
Now, with Sequeira openly considering resignation, a cabinet reshuffle seems almost certain. If the plan moves forward, it could bring back Digambar Kamat to a ministerial role and induct Ramesh Tawadkar signaling another round of significant political changes in the Sawant government.