He was also the second in Goa who died while still in office.
Campaigning came to an end on Saturday for the single-day election in Uttarakhand and Goa, two states known for political volatility where the Bharatiya Janata Party is attempting to retain power, and for the second phase of assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh on February 14.
The development comes at a time when Parrikar, 62, is undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.
The names of two veterans -- Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Speaker of Legislative Assembly Rajendra Arlekar -- are being considered for the top post in case Parrikar moves to Delhi.
A day after a Goa minister ignited a controversy by his remark that India will develop as a Hindu nation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state's Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza on Friday stoked it further, saying India is already a Hindu nation and will always remain so.
Days after a minister in the Manohar Parrikar-led government set off a controversy by denouncing "pub culture", a Bharatiya Janata Party leader has invoked mythology saying "pub and liquor are very much part of Indian culture" and opposed any move to ban them in the name of culture and religion.
We want to make a non-BJP political front in this country, Raut said.
Political parties were bracing for the assembly election results on Thursday in the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and politically volatile Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur, sending out feelers for possible post-poll tie-ups.
"By next week, the government will work out the exact arrangement through which the work burden on Parrikar could be reduced," he said.
'The people of Goa have not given the BJP a mandate to form a government, but the fact is they are trying to form the government.'
With this, the Congress's strength in the 40-member assembly reduced to 14 from 16.
The government is functioning 'very well' and all the alliance partners are firmly supporting Parrikar, who is undergoing treatment at Delhi's AIIMS, the BJP leader asserted.
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday ruled out banning wearing of bikinis on the state's beaches, a day after a minister in his government advocated such a measure, but said drinking of liquor in public places will be prohibited.
Having already triggered a controversy by his remark against "young girls going to pubs in short dresses", Goa minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Tuesday waded into another, saying bikinis should be banned on state's beaches.
'We don't want hardcores like Pramod Muthalik in Goa. We vehemently oppose people who share Muthalik's tendencies. We don't need cultural watchdogs in Goa.' BJP MLA Vishnu Wagh lashes out at Goa's anti-bikini minister Sudin Dhavalikar in this exclusive interview to Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com
'The BJP has proved that it is a threat to all its allies'
Sawant on Tuesday said his government had sought a floor test on Wednesday to prove its strength in the assembly.
The culling of key state leaders and bureaucrats has given rise to distrust and uneasiness in Pramod Sawant's style of functioning, notes Aditi Phadnis.
If pandemic (mis)management threatened to dominate Goa's electoral discourse, the BJP is up against a deeper structural issue in its organisation, created by the fact that a majority of the legislature party and the ministerial council is made up of Congress defectors, disparagingly referred to by the Opposition as "imports". Radhika Ramaseshan reports.
'If the charge is not given immediately, we will contest all upcoming elections, that is (Assembly) by-election and Lok Sabha polls, by fielding our candidates against official candidate of the government'
Parrikar was first elected to the Goa assembly in 1994. He served as he leader of the opposition from June to November 1999.
In 2012, Parsekar had shown his movable and immovable assets at Rs 10.74 crore which now stand at Rs 8.98 crores.
Regional political parties received a total of Rs 91.37 crore in donations in 2016-17.
In line with exit poll predictions, the Bharatiya Janata Party has taken an early lead in Uttar Pradesh, after one hour of counting.
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is tipped to become the Union defence minister, on Saturday tendered his resignation from the post paving way for the appointment of his successor in the state.
In both the states where the Bharatiya Janata Party came second is trying to turn the tables on the Congress to form the government.
The Aam Aadmi Party, which entered the fray with much fanfare, failed to make any impact at the hustings.
In a video message, Parrikar, 62, appealed people to continue praying for his health.
The Congress, which is the single-largest party with 16 MLAs, has already staked claim to form the government in the coastal state.
It was crucial for the BJP to bag the two seats as it does not enjoy a majority on its own in the 40-member assembly.
Independent MLA Govind Gawde supporting the BJP's effort to form the next Goa government confirms that defence minister told him he will be the next Goa chief minister
"The people of Goa demand that we should send Parrikar back to the state," Shah said.
'The politics of Goa is moving around a sole entity, which is land.'
Goa Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar was on Saturday sworn in as the new chief minister.
Breaking his silence over reports about his possible appointment as Defence Minister, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah had asked him to take up an assignment at the Centre, if offered, and that he was willing to shoulder the responsibility.
The Congress legislators, led by Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, demanded that the governor should summon one-day session of the assembly for a floor test.
Parrikar has been admitted to the AIIMS for follow-up treatment reportedly for a pancreatic ailment.
The opposition Congress could muster only 16 votes against the government with one of its legislators absenting from the crucial floor test.
Congress and RJD are single largest parties in Goa and Bihar respectively.
He was a leader who enjoyed acceptance from all sections of the BJP and beyond.
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