Pramod Sawant has been the Chief Minister of Goa since 2019. An Ayurvedic doctor by training, he succeeded Manohar Parrikar and led the BJP to victory in the 2022 Goa Assembly election.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the Goa SIR controversy, allegations of voter roll manipulation and the BJP’s chances in the 2027 polls. He also responds to questions about expensive holidays, the taxi ‘mafia’, drugs, jobs and rising land prices in Goa. The conversation covers Rahul Gandhi, his RSS background and how Goa can grow while protecting its local culture and identity.
*Timestamps*
00:00 - Introduction
01:20 - BJP’s Goa CM Face in 2027
03:30 - Manohar Parrikar’s Influence
06:30 - Goa SIR Controversy
11:10 - Rahul Gandhi’s Protest
13:00 - Opposition Alliance in Goa
17:10 - Free Electricity for Goans
18:10 - Corruption Allegations Against the CM
19:30 - Jobs and Unemployment
21:40 - Ease of Doing Business in Goa
22:30 - Industries, Shipbuilding and Education
24:00 - Mining and Environmental Protection
24:50 - Foreign Tourists
26:10 - Negative Stories About Goa
27:20 - Goa vs Thailand and Vietnam
29:40 - Public Transport and Expensive Taxis
30:30 - Why No Ola or Uber in Goa?
32:00 - Power Cuts in Tourist Areas
33:00 - Beach Cleanliness and Lifeguards
33:40 - Stray Dogs and Cattle
34:30 - Land Mafia Allegations
36:00 - Rising House Prices
37:00 - Protecting Goan Culture
38:00 - Migrant Workers and Local Jobs
39:30 - Goa’s Anti-Narcotics Action
41:40 - Foreigners Running Businesses
44:30 - Ayurveda and Politics
46:00 - Sawant’s RSS Background
47:00 - Rahul Gandhi, RSS and Minorities
50:40 - Sawant’s Vision for Goa
52:30 - Pothole-Free Goa and Tourist Safety
53:40 - Message to Tourists
54:20 - Closing Remarks
