Thursday, February 3 2005 10:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Panaji: Pratapsinh Rane was last night (Feb 03, 2005) sworn in as the Chief Minister of Goa. Independent MLA Philipe Neri Rodriguez was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister.

Capping a day of dramatic political developments, a Congress-led Government was last night sworn in Goa, hours after a BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led ministry had been dismissed by the State Governor after winning a vote of confidence in the State Assembly in highly controversial circumstances.

A two-member Congress Ministry with veteran politician Pratapsinh Rane as Chief Minister and Independent MLA Philipe Neri Rodriguez as his Deputy was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor S C Jamir at a ceremony at the Raj Bhawan at 23:30 hrs (IST), marking yet another chapter in the turbulent politics of Goa where MLAs defect frequently and the Governments change hand at regular intervals.