Vijai Sardesai (born 14 June 1970) is an Indian politician who is currently a member of the Goa Legislative Assembly representing the Fatorda constituency and belongs to the Goa Forward Party. He also served as Deputy Chief Minister of Goa[18][19] in the Government of Goa,[20] until his withdrawal from the cabinet of ministers on 13 July 2019.

Vijai Sardesai
Sardesai in 2016
Deputy Chief Minister of Goa
In office
19 March 2019[1] – 13 July 2019 [2]
Chief MinisterPramod Sawant
DepartmentTown & Country Planning; Agriculture; Archives & Archeology; as well as Factories & Boilers
Minister of Agriculture
Government of Goa
In office
14 March 2017[3] – 13 July 2019
Chief MinisterManohar Parrikar
Preceded byRamesh Tawadkar[4]
Minister of Archives & Archeology
Government of Goa[6]
In office
14 March 2017[5] – 13 July 2019
Chief MinisterManohar Parrikar
Preceded byDayanand Mandrekar[7][8]
Minister of Factories & Boilers
Government of Goa
In office
6 September 2017[9] – 13 July 2019
Chief MinisterManohar Parrikar
Preceded byDeepak Dhavalikar[10]
Member of Legislative Assembly
Assumed office
16 March 2017[11]
Preceded byVijai Sardesai
ConstituencyFatorda
Member of Legislative Assembly
In office
7 March 2012[12] – 16 January 2017[12]
Preceded byDamodar (Damu) G. Naik[13]
ConstituencyFatorda
Personal details
Born (1970-11-14) 14 November 1970 (age 53)
Buenos Aires, Argentina[14]
NationalityIndian
Political partyGoa Forward Party
Other political
affiliations
Indian National Congress (till 2012)
SpouseUsha Sardesai
Children1
Relatives
Residence(s)Davondem, Fatorda, Goa[17]
Alma materDr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri[17]
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionReal Estate Business[17]
Websitehttp://www.vijaisardesai.in

Early life and personal background

edit

Vijai Sardesai was born on 14 June 1970 in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Jaivant and Laxmibai (née Mogabai) Sardesai.[21][22][23] His father Jaivant was a scientist/entomologist who served with the United Nations.[23] His siblings are Savita Kerkar and (Late) Madhavi Sardesai.[24] Sardesai earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from the Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth in 1992 and is a real estate dealer by profession.[25]

Vijai married Usha Sardesai[26] and they have a daughter named Urvi.[27]

Sardesai is the President of the Progressive Goa Wrestling Association and also of the Goa Dodgeball Association.[28] Sardesai has pledged to donate his eyes post his death.[29]

Political career

edit

Vijai started his political career in the student politics of Goa. He was the Chairman of the Goa University Students Council. Sardesai started his political career in the Indian National Congress and he was the President of Goa Pradesh Youth Congress.[30] Sardesai was co-opted as a councillor of the Margao Municipal Council.[31]

Independent MLA

edit

Vijai Sardesai was denied the Indian National Congress candidature from the Fatorda constituency during the 2012 Goa Legislative Assembly election.[32] Sardesai quit the Indian National Congress as an independent candidate[33] and emerged victorious.[34]

During his debut as an independent MLA, Sardesai emerged as a fierce opposition figure. His performance on the floor of the Goa Legislative Assembly and outside the Assembly too made Sardesai popular.[35][36] Vijai Sardesai ensured the victory of his panel in the Margao Municipal Council elections in 2015.[37] Sardesai was accused by his opponents of being involved in the Louis Berger bribery scam but the allegations remain unproven.[38][39][40]

Goa Forward Party

edit

On 25 January 2016, the Goa Forward Party was launched.[41] Although Sardesai was a mentor[42] of the party, he did not officially join it because of the Anti-Defection Law.[43] Sardesai joined the party on 16 January 2017[44] and contested the 2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election as a candidate of the Goa Forward Party. The party contested in only four constituencies in the 2017 Assembly elections and emerged victorious in three.[45]

Minister in the Manohar Parrikar-led government

edit

No single party obtained the requisite majority of 21 seats in the 2017 elections but the Indian National Congress emerged as the largest party with 17 seats. Sardesai and the two other Goa Forward Party legislators supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which secured 13 seats, on the condition that Manohar Parrikar would be appointed the Chief Minister of Goa.[46] Sardesai, whose whole campaign was based on the anti-BJP premise, was criticised by many including his supporters for this act.[47][48] The Goa Forward Party President Prabhakar Timble resigned after Sardesai and the other two party MLAs accorded their support towards formation of the BJP-led government in Goa.[49][50]

Sardesai justified his decision by stating that the Indian National Congress party as well as the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Luizinho Faleiro had ditched him before.[51] He stated that the BJP in Goa was different[52] from that of the national BJP and that the government would work according to a common minimum programme.[51] Sardesai claimed that he would act as a watchdog of Geomkarponn (Goanness) in the government[51][53] and that he had supported the BJP-led government for stability and development.[54]

Vijai Sardesai was sworn in[55] as a cabinet Minister in the Government of Goa headed by Manohar Parrikar on 14 March 2017. The other two Goa Forward Party legislators, Vinoda Paliencar and Jayesh Salgaonkar were also sworn in as cabinet Ministers.[56]

At a largely attended protest meet on 18 March 2017 at Margao's Lohia Maidan, Sardesai was condemned by many for supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party government led by Manohar Parrikar.[57][58][59][60]

References

edit
  1. ^ "BJP's Pramod Sawant Takes Oath as Goa Chief Minister at 2am Ceremony, Deputy CMs May Be Sworn in Today". News18. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  2. ^ "3 GFP and independent ministers, including Deputy CM Vijay Sardesai, dropped from Goa Cabinet". News Nation English.
  3. ^ "Manohar Parrikar sworn in as the new chief minister of Goa". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Goa elections 2017: BJP minister Ramesh Tawadkar quits cabinet, set to join MGP | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dnaindia.com. 16 January 2017. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  5. ^ "CM allocates Additional Portfolios to his council of ministers". 7 September 2017. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 October 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 November 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "Goa CM inaugurates Freedom Fighters Gallery". Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  9. ^ "Goa: Parrikar allots more portfolios to ministers, retains key ones with himself". 7 September 2017. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Laxmikant Parsekar drops 2 MGP ministers after spat, gets Manohar Parrikar backing". 14 December 2016. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  11. ^ "Goa CM Manohar Parrikar wins trust vote LIVE: 16 MLAs oppose, 22 support". Business Standard India. 16 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  12. ^ a b "Shri. Vijai Sardesai Previous Election Details | Goa Legislative Assembly". goavidhansabha.gov.in. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  13. ^ "Is Damodar 'Damu' Naik's career nearing its end | Goa News". Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  14. ^ "www.thegoan.net/story_preview.php?id=3466". thegoan.net. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  15. ^ Narayan, Rajan (31 December 2016). "REMEMBERING MADHAVI SARDESAI".
  16. ^ "GOA'S NEW SANTAS". 23 December 2016.
  17. ^ a b c "Vijai Sardessai(Independent(IND)):Constituency- FATORDA(SOUTH GOA) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". myneta.info. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  18. ^ "Government Notification No.1/7/2017-GAD-II/823 dated 20/03/2017, published in the Official Gazette, Extraordinary No.3, Series II No.SO, dated 20th March, 2017" (PDF). General Administration Department, Government of Goa. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  19. ^ "MGP MLAs score meatier portfolios | Goa News". Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  20. ^ "Manohar Parrikar allots portfolios in Goa cabinet". Livemint. 20 March 2017. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  21. ^ "www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=5985". goanews.com. Archived from the original on 29 December 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  22. ^ "Like mother, like daughter". The Navhind Times. 4 July 2015. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  23. ^ a b Naray, Rajan (31 December 2016). "Remembering Madhavi Sardesai". goanobserver.in. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  24. ^ "Madhavi Sardesai passes away". The Navhind Times. 22 December 2014. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  25. ^ "Vijai Sardessai(Independent(IND)):Constituency- FATORDA(SOUTH GOA) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". myneta.info. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  26. ^ "Wives on campaign trail". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  27. ^ "Event Photographer In India – The Dynamic Social Activist & Leading Politician From Goa, Fatorda – Mr.Vijai Sardesai". artpixelphotography.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  28. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  29. ^ "5 local MLAs pledge to donate their eyes - Times of India". indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  30. ^ "Election results: Kingmakers who might play a key role in forming Goa government". hindustantimes.com. 12 March 2017. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  31. ^ "Councillors eye larger political role". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  32. ^ "Battle's between Vijai Sardesai & Damodar 'Damu' Naik for Fatorda - Times of India". indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  33. ^ Roy, Vaishna (25 February 2012). "In Goa's Fatorda, rebel with a cause". thehindu.com.
  34. ^ "Goa Election Results 2012: Full list of winners of all constituencies in assembly elections of Goa and how it can change in 2017". indianexpress.com. 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  35. ^ "Cong votes in Fatorda didn't give Damu edge over Vijai". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  36. ^ "Vijai, attacker of U turns, takes the biggest U turn". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  37. ^ "Election results see 'Fatorda Forward' march into MMC - Times of India". indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  38. ^ "www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=5854". goanews.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  39. ^ "All linked to Louis Berger deal should be interrogated: Damu". The Navhind Times. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  40. ^ "Fatorda MLA trains guns at GPCC president - Times of India". indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  41. ^ "New regional party 'Goa Forward' launched in state". Press Trust of India. 25 January 2016. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017 – via Business Standard.
  42. ^ "Two prominent leaders join Goa Forward". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  43. ^ "www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=6396". goanews.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  44. ^ "IT'S OFFICIAL, VIJAI JOINS GOA FORWARD". prudentmedia.in. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  45. ^ D’Mello, Pamela. "Goa election 2017: As neither BJP nor Congress win a majority, the spotlight is on regional parties". scroll.in. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  46. ^ "Goa floor test highlights: BJP govt led by Parrikar wins with support of 22 MLAs, Congress' Rane resigns". hindustantimes.com. 16 March 2017. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  47. ^ D’Mello, Pamela. "Goa's 'legally legitimate but morally illegitimate government': Anger in state as BJP stakes claim". scroll.in. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  48. ^ "All Vijai should have held, was a 'Fatorda dialogue', before his giant leap". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  49. ^ "Timble resigns as GF chief". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  50. ^ "GFP president Prabhakar Timble resigns - Times of India". indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  51. ^ a b c D’Mello, Pamela. "'Congress has ditched me twice before': Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward explains why he has backed BJP". scroll.in. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  52. ^ "GOA BJP LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN NATIONAL BJP : VIJAY SARDESAI". prudentmedia.in. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  53. ^ "Parrikar ready to scrap amendment derecognising coconut palm: Vijai". The Navhind Times. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  54. ^ "Aligned with BJP for stability and development: Vijai". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  55. ^ "Parrikar sworn in as Goa CM, but his team of nine ministers has only 2 from BJP". hindustantimes.com. 14 March 2017. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  56. ^ "www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=7590". goanews.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  57. ^ "Vijai draws severe criticism over support to BJP". The Navhind Times. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  58. ^ "Herald: Minister Vijai faces protest meet #1". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  59. ^ "Goa election results 2017: MLAs who betrayed voters must resign: Lohia Maidan meet | Goa News". Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  60. ^ "The Goan EveryDay: Vijai in line of fire at Margao meet". englishnews.thegoan.net. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.