Shankar Laad

Shankar Vishveshwar Laad was an Indian politician from Goa who served as the state's Law Minister in the cabinet of Chief Minister Shashikala Kakodkar from 1977 to 1979.

Early life

Shankar Vishveshwar Laad was born on 14 August 1940 in Vasco da Gama, Portuguese Goa. He studied at the St. Joseph's Institute, Vasco. He later studied B. Com. and LL. B. at Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce, Pune.

Early political career

Laad was President of the Marmagao Municipal Council from 6 October 1976 to 11 July 1977. Further, he was a member of the Jaycees in Vasco and later became its President in 1976.

Member of Legislative Assembly

Laad was elected to the Goa Legislative Assembly during the fourth term. He belonged to the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and was among the legislators who supported Shashikala Kakodkar when she served as Goa’s only woman chief minister.

Dissolution of Kakodkar Ministry

During his tenure as Law Minister, Laad was part of a politically tumultuous period in Goa. Kakodkar's government was eventually dissolved in 1979, following internal dissension within the ruling MGP and shifts in legislative support. Laad was the leader of the group that rebelled against her.

Death

Laad died on 1 April 2016. Fellow politicians and members of the public paid tribute to his role in Goa’s political history, particularly noting his service as Law Minister and his contributions during the formative years of Goa’s post-Liberation governance.