Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who is all set to complete five years in chair, n March 19, today said that COVID-19 pandemic period was the most challenging time of his tenure.
He even said that his phrase ‘bhivpachi garaz na’ (there is no need to fear) — even though widely criticised —became a tag line during pandemic and helped the state get through difficult times in those two years.
“On March 19 I will complete 5 years as Goa CM. There were many challenges but Covid-19 period was the most challenging. But I thank the people of Goa who stood with me to overcome the crisis and difficult time,” he told reporters.
Sawant, who took the reins post death of former CM late Manohar Parrikar, will complete five years on March 19 and get credit as Goa’s longest-serving BJP CM, a temporal record he created. Ex-CM late Parrikar could rule for four years and 247 days, and his successor, Laxmikant Parsekar, lasted for two years and three days.
Speaking further, Sawant said “despite having very little political experience, I was elevated from MLA to CM. From being a common karyakarta of the party to CM of the State. This can happen only in BJP”.
“I thank the people of Sanquelim for reposing faith in me time and again and getting me elected for three consecutive term,” he said. Sawant was first elected as MLA in 2012 and in 2017, he was elevated as Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly.
The Chief Minister said that Swayampurana Goen was a key step of his government and that under the double engine government, State was managed to undertake impressive infrastructure and human development in last five years.
As State is now all set to go for Parliamentary polls, Sawant has appealed people to elect BJP candidates in both North and South Goa seat.
