Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar faced criticism after questioning 'who Parrikar?' when a woman suggested he emulate the late Goa CM Manohar Parrikar's surprise visits to address civic issues.
With Manohar Parrikar's methodical approach to governance Goa may see better days ahead, says Aditi Phadnis
Manohar Parrikar, who is tipped to get the defence portfolio, said he would resign as the Goa chief minister on Saturday, paving the way for his induction in the Union cabinet.
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has again caused flutters in the party with remarks that the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat were a "blot" on Narendra Modi's career though he was not personally part of it.
A day after the Union ministry of environment and forest suspended the environmental clearances for all the 93 mining leases in Goa, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that he will appeal to prime minister to "set things right" in the green ministry headed by Jayanti Natarajan.
"I have not asked for it. Also, Manohar Parrikar has not asked for it," the AYUSH minister said when asked about Gadkari's remarks.
The death of the former defence minister, who represented the Panaji assembly seat, will also necessitate a fourth bypoll in Goa.
Sawant, who took over as chief minister for the first time in March 2019, brought the BJP tantalizingly close to the simple majority mark of 21, defying pre-poll predictions of a hung assembly.
"The central leaders of BJP are in touch with Utpal and have offered two seats to contest elections in Goa. I am sure that this issue will be resolved and he will consider the offer," the Goa CM said.
A war of words had erupted between the Congress and the BJP over Parrikar's purported claim that he had a file on the Rafale jet deal "lying in his bedroom".
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.
The central government has announced national mourning on Monday.
The BJP has the cadres, organisation, and extensive funding. But in the absence of a towering political personality like Manohar Parrikar, the Goa outcome is hard to predict.
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.
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
Parrikar was first elected to the Goa assembly in 1994. He served as he leader of the opposition from June to November 1999.
The race for the Goa chief minister's post intensified on Friday with Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza throwing his hat into the ring as Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar emerged the front-runner to succeed Manohar Parrikar.
'Parrikar is living for Modi and Shah, not for his motherland or Goa'
Parrikar returned to Goa as the chief minister for the fourth time, though he could not complete full terms in his earlier stints.
"By next week, the government will work out the exact arrangement through which the work burden on Parrikar could be reduced," he said.
BJP leaders and allies, who met Parrikar separately, ruled out any change in leadership in the state.
Manohar Parrikar, the chief minister of Goa and former defence minister, died at his son's home in Panaji on Sunday after a long illness. He was 63. Since February 2018, Parrikar had been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New York after he was diagnosed with a pancreatic condition. Following his demise, tributes poured in from all over with political lines being forgotten.
'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'
Sardesai is the second member of the cabinet after health minister Vishwajit Rane to talk about the exact nature of Parrikar's illness.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the decks for oath taking of Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister of Goa by refusing the plea of Congress to stay the ceremony, saying the BJP has shown the support of 21 out of the 40 newly elected MLAs.
On Twitter, people used #GirlsWhoDrinkBeer hashtag to say cheers to Parrikar.
Parrikar will stay at his private residence in Panaji,
Parrikar has been suffering from a pancreatic ailment for the last one year and has undergone treatment in the United States as well as at AIIMS Delhi and a private hospital in Mumbai.
'Like any other person who may not occupy public office has a right to not disclose his health problems to the public'
The two would-be Dy CMs are Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA Sudin Dhavalikar.
The petition has also sought quashing of the decision of the governor to appoint Parrikar as the chief minister.
He was a leader who enjoyed acceptance from all sections of the BJP and beyond.
Parrikar submitted his resignation after BJP staked claim to form an alliance government in Goa.
He was also the second in Goa who died while still in office.
The chief minister started his day with a visit to the Devki Krishna temple at Khandola village.
"The people of Goa demand that we should send Parrikar back to the state," Shah said.
Hundreds of BJP workers who had gathered outside the complex cheered when Parrikar arrived.
Amid speculation that he would return to Goa politics, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday kept everyone guessing by describing himself as a "party man" who will work as per the directions of party leaders.
Vishwajit Rane, who had unsuccessfully lobbied for the CM's post, has been given crucial Health and Town and Country Planning Portfolios along with Urban Development, Women and Child, and Forest departments.
Technocrat-turned-politician, Manohar Parrikar, set to become Goa chief minister for the third time, is known for his clean image, blunt talk and development initiatives.
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