Independent MLA, Minister Govind Gaude joins BJP

Panaji, Jan 11 (UNI) Ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections, Goa Art and Culture Minister and independent MLA Govind Gaude joined the BJP on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, he resigned as MLA and Goa Minister. The Independent MLA submitted his resignation to Assembly Secretary Namrata Ulman at Assembly Complex at Porvorim.
He was Art and Culture Minister in Pramod Sawant cabinet.
He joined the ruling party in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP Goa unit president Sadanand Shet Tanavade, among others.
Gaude was an independent MLA and represented Priol constituency in the state assembly.
When Bharatiya Janata Party was short of required numbers to form government post 2017 assembly elections, he had extended support which helped the saffron party to form government under the leadership of late Manohar Parrikar.
Later, he was inducted into Parrikar’s cabinet. Besides Art and Culture, Gaude also had Tribal Welfare, Civil Supplies and Price Control and Cooperation portfolios.
“To strengthen promise of human development focused on education, agriculture & employment. To articulate rural development in wider policy making. I have decided to contest forthcoming election from BJP. Support of @goacm @DrPramodPSawant twrds Priol & Ponda is alwys encouraging,” he said in a tweet.
Assembly elections in Goa are to be held on February 14, 2022.