Panaji, April 27: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was sent to a New York-based medical facility for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, is still admitted. According to Goa BJP leaders, he is not expected to return before mid-May.

While Parrikar still undergoes treatment at the US, politics plays out in full swing back home, with the Congress seeking the dismissal of the three-member ministerial panel which has been governing the state in his absence.

The three-member Cabinet Advisory Committee was appointed by Parrikar on March 3, the day he returned to Goa to present the Budget for 2018-19. The committee, comprising of Sudin Dhavalikar (of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party), Francis D'Souza (of the BJP) and Vijai Sardesai (of the Goa Forward Party), was tasked by the CM to spearhead governance in the state in his absence.

The Congress on Thursday said the committee's appointment is "unconstitutional". The party demanded the appointment of an interim chief minister in the state till Parrikar remains admitted.

The Opposition has targeted the Goa government over the delay caused in approving the state's new tourism policy, apart from taking a decision the allotment of mines, which were annulled by the Supreme Court in February.

The ruling BJP has so far ruled out the possibility of appointing an interim CM. Such a move, pollsters claim, could allow the allies to exert their might. The GFP has threatened to walk out of the government if Parrikar is replaced.

"In our letter of support to the Governor, we had explicitly mentioned that we are supporting the government of Manohar Parrikar. We are part of the coalition because of him, not because of the BJP," GFP chief Sardesai had said.

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari has assured the allies that there would no temporary replacement for Parrikar. "No such question arises. Parrikar will recover completely and soon his resume charge," Gadkari had earlier said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 27, 2018 11:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).