Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar sworn in as Goa cabinet minister
The induction fills a cabinet vacancy that has existed since the death of former Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik.
Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar was sworn in as a minister in the Goa Cabinet on Saturday, according to The Indian Express and The Hindu. Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju administered the oath of office and secrecy at Raj Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
The induction fills a berth in the 12-member Council of Ministers that became vacant after former Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik died in October last year. Amonkar is the third legislator from a group of eight former Congress MLAs who switched to the BJP in September 2022 to be inducted into the Sawant-led Cabinet.
Amonkar, a first-time MLA, previously served as the Chairperson of the Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Limited. He contested the 2022 Assembly elections on a Congress ticket, defeating three-time BJP MLA Milind Naik from Mormugao.
Before joining the BJP, Amonkar held roles including deputy leader of the Congress Legislative Party and vice-president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee. He is a graduate of Mormugao Education Society, Zuarinagar.
Speaking to the media, Amonkar said he was grateful to the people of Goa and party leaders. He stated that he would fulfil the responsibilities assigned to him.
The Goa Assembly election is expected to be held in early 2027.