Manohar Parrikar Discharged From Mumbai Hospital, Presents State Budget in Goa Assembly
According to reports, Parrikar is expected to temporarily assign the give portfolios managed by him to other Ministers in his Cabinet.
Panjim, Feb 22: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar flew back from Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital after being discharged earlier on Thursday. On his return to Goa, Parrikar attended the legislative assembly and presented the state Budget for 2018-19.
Parrikar, being treated for "mild pancreatitis" in Mumbai for the past one week, is scheduled to fly back to the Lilavati Hospital later in the day. Before leaving Goa, he is scheduled to chair a meeting with his Cabinet colleagues where he is expected to lay down the framework for governance in his absence.
According to reports, Parrikar is expected to temporarily assign the five portfolios managed by him to other Ministers in his Cabinet.
Senior Minister in the Parrikar-led regime, Vijai Sardesai, said there is no threat to the government's stability in Parrikar's absence. "Our support to Parrikar is steadfast. We are committed to him rather than the BJP," claimed Sardesai, who heads the Goa Forward Party (GFP).
The GFP with three legislators, along with two independents and three MLAs of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) had inked a post-poll pact with the BJP to form government in the state last year. The government stands on thin ground as it is bound to lost majority if anyone among them withdraws support.
"But there is no question of stability. As long as Parrikar is the CM, all allies will support this government," Sardesai told reporters.
Parrikar, who is heading the state government in Goa for the fourth time, was serving as the Union Defence Minister till March 2017, when the BJP high command decided to send him back to the state.
The BJP, which managed to win only 13 seats in the 40-member assembly, sought support from the GFP and MGP. The allies, however, offered support only on the condition if Parrikar is appointed at the helm of the new government.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 22, 2018 03:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).