Mamata and Kejriwal are political tourists

PRAMOD SAWANT, 48, is one of the youngest chief ministers in the country. He was handpicked for the post in March 2019 after the demise of then chief minister Manohar Parrikar, and has had less than three years to make a mark.

- PRADIP R. SAGAR

As Goa gears up for elections early next year, Sawant is banking on multiple welfare schemes that he had launched during the pandemic to reduce financial stress on voters.

Excerpts from an exclusive interview:

Q/ How are you preparing for the assembly polls?

A/ We are ready for it, both as the government and as the BJP. In the last two-and-a-half years, and, overall, in the last 10 years [as MLA], I have served the people of Goa to the best of my ability.

We are organizing multiple events, along with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, and the 60th year of Goa’s liberation, to disseminate the government’s welfare schemes. We are engaging with people through schemes like ‘Sarkar Tumchya Dari’ (Government at your Doorstep), and other flagship programmes. Through these events, we aim to reach out to the public.

Q/ Why should people vote for you?

A/ I take credit for doing a good job on the Covid front, in dealing with Cyclone Tauktae, and in managing floods. Despite the financial crunch during the pandemic, we did not abandon social sector schemes. In fact, we launched several new schemes. Efforts were taken to provide stimulus to every key sector, including education.

For the first time in 60 years, a government official visits every panchayat once a week to address people’s grievances. That official is responsible for delivering all Central and state government schemes to people.