In a significant development in Goa's political landscape, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira tendered his resignation on Wednesday, attributing the decision to personal factors. The 68-year-old legislator from Nuvem submitted his letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at the Mantralaya in Porvorim, marking the end of his brief stint in the cabinet which began in November 2023 when he replaced Nilesh Cabral.

Sequeira, who has been a prominent figure in Goan politics for decades, emphasized that he enjoyed full backing from the chief minister throughout his term. "I am stepping down from the cabinet due to personal grounds," he stated to the media, explicitly denying speculations about health concerns as the cause. His departure is widely seen as paving the way for a cabinet reshuffle, with reports indicating that former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar are likely to be inducted as new ministers, possibly as early as Thursday.

Sequeira's political trajectory has been marked by shifts and resilience. Starting in the Youth Congress, he climbed the ranks and secured his first assembly seat in 1994 from Loutolim, holding it until 2007. Following a constituency delimitation in 2008, he faced a setback with a loss in Nuvem in 2012 but staged a strong return in 2022, winning by a margin of over 4,300 votes on a Congress ticket. Just months later, in September 2022, he switched to the BJP along with seven other MLAs, a move that bolstered the party's strength in the state.

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Beyond his electoral record, Sequeira has held key positions, including Deputy Speaker in 1999 and a ministerial role under Digambar Kamat from 2007 to 2012. He is also known as a businessman and has advocated for issues like contract workers' rights, particularly from marginalized communities, pushing for age relaxations in recruitment to support livelihoods. In 2000, he was part of a faction led by former CM Francisco Sardinha that briefly split from Congress, highlighting his involvement in the state's dynamic party politics.

The resignation comes amid ongoing discussions within the BJP about cabinet adjustments, with sources suggesting it was anticipated to accommodate senior leaders like Kamat, who defected to the BJP in recent years. This move could reshape Goa's governance, especially in portfolios like environment and law, which Sequeira oversaw. As the state awaits the official reshuffle, political observers are watching closely for further changes in the Pramod Sawant-led government.

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