Manohar Parrikar, Being Treated For Pancreatic Cancer, Reveals How He is Governing Goa From a US Hospital

Panaji, June 5: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently located at an undisclosed medical facility in New York, revealed how he is handling governance remotely from the US. Reports claimed Parrikar dialled up four journalists, considered close to him, and explained how he communicates official decisions to the bureaucrats and had cabinet colleagues.

One of the journalists, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said he received a call from the Officer on Special Duty in the CMO, claiming Parrikar wants to speak to him. In five minutes, the line was transferred to the Goa CM, who articulated how he handles his day-to-day official charge using technology.

"Parrikar said that he has a daily conference via telephone with the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary to the CMO. Files and documents are scanned and sent to him by email and fax and the Chief Minister's decisions are conveyed over phone, fax or email. He said, that governance can be conducted remotely with ease in these days, thanks to communication devices," the scribe narrated while speaking to IANS.

The phone call from Parrikar comes amid the Congress demanding the Governor to appoint a full-time CM, alleging governance was being hindered in the state due to Parrikar's absence.

The BJP, meanwhile, has ruled out replacing Parrikar as the CM of Goa. "There is no question about it. Parrikar will remain the CM. He will soon return after his treatment," said senior party leader Nitin Gadkari.

On Parrikar's condition, the BJP has maintained that he is "recovering well", without divulging the specifics about his health. Reports, however, are firm about him being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

One of the journalists, who spoke to the Goa CM on Sunday night, said, "He sounded a bit weak, but Parrikar told me that two rounds of chemotherapy are likely to be done later this week and after that, his return would depend on his doctor's clearance."

Parrikar, 65, is heading his fourth term as the Chief Minister of Goa. He has also served as the Union Defence Minister between 2015 to 2017. His condition deteriorated in February, necessitating his hospitalisation. After nearly a month's treatment at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, he was rushed to the US.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 05, 2018 02:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).