News From Ares
For Daijiworld Media Network—Panaji (CN)

Panaji, Jul 25: Goa is optimistic of getting representation in the union cabinet this time around when there is a cabinet expansion. ‘We might get the chance this time,’ Francisco Sardinha, president, Goa Pradesh Congress committee (GPCC), told reporters here.
 
‘We have been requesting representation in the cabinet. The request stands even now,’ he said. Sardinha, who is also a Lok Sabha member, said that the representation is needed as ‘Goa is a state’.
 
Goa has three members of parliament (MP) —two Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha. One of the Lok Sabha members and the Rajya Sabha member are from the Congress party. The other Lok Sabha member is from the BJP.
 
Francisco Sardinha and Rajya Sabha MP, Shantaram Naik, are both in the race for the ministerial post if Goa’s case is taken up. Interestingly, the opposition party, too, has supported the Congress demand for a cabinet berth.
 
‘Goa is a tourist destination. We will be able to progress better and get better schemes only if we have representation in the union cabinet,’ said Shripad Naik, Goa BJP chief and MP.