The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came out as the party with the maximum number of seats in the Goa State Assembly Polls 2022, winning 20 of the 40 seats in the state. This was an improvement for the party as it won just 13 back in 2017. However, it is interesting to note that despite being only the second-highest vote-getter back then, it was still able to form the government by forming key alliances with several regional parties.

Prior to the polling this time, there was discussion about anti-incumbency being prevalent in the state, and hence several predictions had Congress coming out on top again. However, the BJP beat this anti-incumbency sentiment and emerged as the top vote-getter.

Therefore, it is surprising that the party is yet to nominate a Chief Minister face despite being in the driver’s seat of Goa polls. Questions were raised behind the party’s motive not to elect someone as the CM.

The oath-taking ceremony

Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai summoned the state legislative Assembly session on March 15. The purpose of the session was to administer oaths for the new MLAs in the state. The point of BJP not having picked a CM face was also brought up.

According to a circular, MLA-elect Ganesh Gaonkar took the oath being administered as the pro- tem speaker. It took place on March 14 at the Raj Bhavan, after which Gaonkar conducted the oath-taking ceremony for all the other legislators. “Hon’ble Governor has now ordered the convening of new Assembly on 15.3.2022 at 11:30 am for the purpose of administering the Oath or Affirmation to the newly elected members,” it said.

However, the distribution of portfolios and the announcement of a Chief Ministerial face are still on hold. There seems to be no indication by the BJP to announce these positions just yet. The central observers of the BJP have not yet arrived in Goa. A legislature meet will take place once they do. If the portfolios and the CM face are not decided by Monday, there will be a change in the schedule announced.

Who won in Goa

The BJP won 20 seats in Goa. It saw an improvement in the number of seats won from 2017. Congress won 11 seats while its ally Goa Forward Party (GFP) was able to win one. A party needs to win at least 21 seats in Goa to gain an absolute majority. However, BJP was able to support three independent candidates and cross that mark. It will now be the third consecutive time the BJP has come to power in Goa.

Pramod Sawant, the incumbent Chief Minister of the state, tendered his resignation to the governor on Saturday after the assembly results were announced. He has now been appointed as the caretaker CM of the state by the governor.