Mysterious SMS sends Goa politicians into tizzy

With speculation rife about accommodating a dissident Congress MLA in the Goa cabinet in place of a sitting minister, there was more drama on the issue today following a mysterious SMS conveying the legislator's swearing-in.

With speculation rife about accommodating a dissident Congress MLA in the Goa cabinet in place of a sitting minister, there was more drama on the issue today following a mysterious SMS conveying the legislator's swearing-in.

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The text message from official mobile number of Information and Publicity Department reading -- "swearing in ceremony at Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan at 7 pm today" -- was sent to journalists.

The short message service (SMS) was later retracted within ten minutes of its circulation.

Interestingly, the message was received when Chief Minister Digamber Kamat was addressing an official press conference on the Union Budget.

When asked about the contents of the SMS, the chief minister refused to acknowledge that there was any swearing-in ceremony. "There should be a vacancy to accommodate someone... How can there be a swearing-in ceremony without dropping any minister?" he questioned.

Kamat claimed "some officer in personal capacity might have sent the message."

Even as the chief minister went on denying any change in the cabinet, another SMS confirming his stand was circulated that there was no swearing-in ceremony.

"No swearing-in ceremony is scheduled at Raj Bhavan. Inconvenience caused is regretted," the message read.