Two ministers inducted in BJP-led Goa cabinet
Panaji, Sep 24 : BJP MLAs Milind Naik, a former Power Minister, and Nilesh Cabral were sworn in as cabinet ministers in the BJP-led cabinet in Goa even as ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar dropped two ministers who have been hospitalized for severe ailments.
The two Ministers were administered the oath of secrecy by Governor Mridula Sinha at a formal function at the Raj Bhavan on Monday evening.
While Naik has served as a Power Minister in a previous BJP-led coalition government under then Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, a two-time MLA has been sworn in as Minister for the first time.
Both Ministers said they had been informed by Parrikar by phone on Monday morning that they had been shortlisted for ministership.
When Cabral was asked that two of their colleagues had been sacked to make way for the two cabinet berths, the newly inducted Minister said: "It is not my responsibility that my colleague has been dropped and I have been made Minister. That is the CM's responsibility. Tomorrow they may drop me too... What is the big deal?"
Naik and Cabral have replaced Urban Development Minister Francis D'Souza and Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar.
Reacting to the development, D'Souza, who is being treated for cancer at a New York hospital, told IANS over the phone: "I am happy with the decision. This is the fruit of working for the party for 20 long years. I have been ill for only one month."
Madkaikar is being treated in Mumbai since June when he suffered a brain stroke.
Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on Sunday had hinted at a ministerial rejig in a tweet, which also said that Parrikar, who is being treated for advanced pancreatic cancer at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences would, however, continue as Chief Minister.
Parrikar has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, New York and now Delhi for the last seven months.
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“Goli maro…” slogan raised as ABVP-linked group disrupts play at University of Hyderabad
Hyderabad: A group allegedly linked to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) disrupted a theatre performance at the University of Hyderabad on Sunday evening. The group is also accused of vandalising property and assaulting students.
Slogans such as “Desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maro…” were raised during the incident, according to eyewitnesses.
According to the Observer Post, the disruption happened as Mahesh Elkunchwar's play Holi was being staged at the Department of Theatre Arts' GB Hall. The group reportedly objected to certain portions of the play, claiming that some phrases hurt religious sentiments.
According to accounts from those present, the situation escalated when individuals forced their way into the venue after damaging fixtures and breaking glass panels outside the auditorium. Students attempting to intervene were reportedly assaulted, and a guest faculty member was allegedly threatened.
Several students sustained injuries and were provided initial treatment at the campus health centre before being shifted to a nearby hospital.
Police later arrived at the scene, brought the situation under control, and escorted those inside the hall to safety. Witnesses said tensions remained high, with some members of the group continuing to raise slogans during the evacuation.
