NEW DELHI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Pramod Sawant was early Tuesday sworn in as the new chief minister of western Indian state of Goa, officials said.
Sawant succeeds Manohar Parrikar, who passed away on Sunday following a prolonged illness.
Goa Governor Mridula Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 46-year-old Sawant.
"The tough negotiations with BJP and its allies continued overnight, following which Pramod Sawant took oath at 2:00 a.m. local time today," a BJP lawmaker said.
"The governor also administered the oath to 11 other ministers, including those from BJP's allies Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and the Goa Forward Party (GFP)," the BJP lawmaker said.
Before taking oath as the chief minister of Goa, Sawant resigned from the post of speaker of Legislative Assembly.
