Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar was sworn in as a minister in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s cabinet just months ahead of the Goa Assembly elections expected to be held in 2027 and fills up the ministerial vacancy left by former minister Ravi Naik who died recently.
Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju administered the oath of office and secrecy to Amonkar at Lok Bhavan in Dona Paula. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was present along with other senior leaders at the ceremony.
Sankalp Amonkar Joins Goa Cabinet
Amonkar represents Mormugao Assembly constituency and is a member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His induction is an important political development for the ruling party ahead of Assembly elections.
Amonkar was a Congress candidate in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections before joining the BJP. He defeated three-time BJP MLA Milind Naik by 1,941 votes in Mormugao.
However, in September 2022 Amonkar was among eight Congress MLAs who joined BJP. His political journey continued thereafter in the ruling party.
After entering BJP he was made chairman of Goa Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation.
Ravi Naik's Death Left a Cabinet Vacancy
The minister's post fell vacant after veteran Goa politician Ravi Naik died on 15 October 2025.
Naik was Agriculture Minister in Pramod Sawant-led government when he died of a cardiac arrest at 79.
He was a prominent politician of Goa and twice Chief Minister of the state. He won seven Assembly elections during his political career.
Amonkar’s arrival now fills the gap left by Naik’s death.
VIDEO | Goa: Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar sworn in as a Cabinet Minister in Dr. Pramod Sawant-led Goa government at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) https://t.co/bPjmOUuPXE
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 7, 2026
BJP's Political Strategy Ahead of 2027 Elections
The cabinet expansion comes at a crucial time for BJP in Goa. The state is expected to go to the Assembly polls next year in February 2027.
Amonkar’s elevation is also significant because of his political clout in Mormugao constituency which has a lot of economic importance as port and industrial activity takes place there.
His induction is seen as an attempt to strengthen party representation and organisational position in the region ahead of elections.
Amonkar was one of the eight former Congress MLAs who joined BJP in 2022. He is also the third legislator from that group to get a cabinet berth under Sawant.
Amonkar Promises to Work for Goa
Speaking ahead of the swearing-in ceremony Amonkar thanked BJP leadership, party colleagues and people of Goa for the opportunity.
He said he did not see his induction into the ministry as late and added that he would carry out whatever responsibilities were assigned to him even though there was little time left before the elections.
CM Pramod Sawant also congratulated the newly inducted minister and wished him success in his responsibilities.
With the cabinet vacancy now filled, Amonkar’s appointment brings another political dimension to Goa’s preparations for 2027 Assembly elections. How he does as a minister and BJP electoral strategy in Mormugao will be important developments to watch over the coming months.
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