Ayurveda Doctor Pramod Sawant takes over as GOA CM

Sawant, an Ayurveda medicine professional has succeeded Parrikar, who died after suffering from pancreatic cancer for over a year.

Panaji: Ayurvedic doctor Pramod Sawant is the new chief minister of Goa, succeeding Manohar Parrikar, cremated hours earlier with state honours. The doctor was sworn in at the late hours of Tuesday night.

Along with the ayurveda practitioner, Manohar Ajgaonkar and Sudin Dhawalikar of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward party (GFP) and Govind Gawde and Rohan Khaunte (both independents) took their oaths as cabinet ministers

With this BJP managed to break the deadlock in Goa, offering key allies their pound of flesh, by accepting their demand for deputy CM's posts.

"We have managed to convince the alliance partners and finalised the formula of two deputy chief ministers for the state, a senior BJP functionary said.

Sawant, who had a long journey from being an Ayurvedic Doctor to now a CM, obtained a Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree from the Ganga Education Society's Ayurvedic Medical College in Kolhapur and practiced as an alternative medicine specialist in GOA

He holds a PG degree of Master of Social Work from the Tilak Maharashtra University at Pune.

Sawant's political career began in the BJP as a youth leader. A staunch Parrikar supporter, he had worked closely with the late leader. He won the 2012 and 2017 Assembly elections from North Goa's Sanquelim constituency, which used to be a Congress stronghold.

Sawant a Maratha by caste, in his political career has generally managed to steer clear from controversy and was handpicked by Parrikar to assume the Speaker's post in 2017.

Sawant's wife Sulakshana is currently the state president of the BJP's Mahila Morcha and his daughter studies in Class 6.

Sawant, an alternative medicine professional has succeeded Parrikar, who died after suffering from pancreatic cancer for over a year.