Goa Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar resigned from his post on Thursday morning, paving the way for his induction into Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s cabinet at noon at Raj Bhavan. The 57-year-old Canacona MLA submitted his resignation to State Legislature Secretary Namrata Ulman at the assembly complex, marking a significant shift in the state’s political landscape ahead of a planned cabinet reshuffle. Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will also join the cabinet, filling two vacant ministerial positions.

The reshuffle follows the dismissal of Govind Gaude on June 18, 2025, after allegations of corruption in the tribal welfare department, and the resignation of Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira on Wednesday, citing personal reasons. Both Tawadkar and Kamat, who defected to the BJP from Congress in September 2022, are seen as strategic additions to strengthen the ruling party’s position ahead of the 2027 elections. Chief Minister Sawant confirmed their induction on Wednesday, emphasizing party directives.

Tawadkar, elected Speaker in March 2022 after the BJP’s victory in the Goa polls, has a robust political history. First elected in 2007, he previously served as a minister under Manohar Parrikar, handling portfolios like sports, tribal welfare, and agriculture. “I wanted to continue as Speaker, but I’m a soldier of the party,” Tawadkar told reporters, accepting his new role. Sources indicate Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar is likely to replace him as Speaker post-Ganesh Chaturthi.

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Local voices on X praised Tawadkar’s tribal leadership, with user @GoaFirst24 noting, “His induction strengthens BJP’s outreach to ST communities.” The reshuffle reflects the BJP’s strategy to consolidate power, but some analysts, like political commentator Priya Naik, warn of potential friction among MLAs eyeing cabinet berths. The ceremony at Raj Bhavan will mark a pivotal moment for Goa’s governance.

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