Panaji, November 23: Goa Forward Party chief and State Cabinet Minister Vijai Sardesai has accused the BJP high command of not allowing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to resign in August, when his health had worsened. Sardesai claimed that Parrikar had informed the top brass of BJP leadership, which vetoed his decision fearing walkout of alliance partners in absence of Parrikar.

"He wanted to give up the CM's post altogether. He had even shown inclination to give away his portfolios (to other ministers) when he was admitted to a hospital during Ganesh Chaturthi festival," the Goa CM told news agency PTI. Amit Shah, PM Narendra Modi Can’t Make Goa CM Manohar Parrikar Resign, 'Fearing Rafale Exposure': Congress.

"But then several things happened. BJP high command stepped in....it (to resign or not) is not in his (Parrikar's) hands entirely," he added.

Sardesai also contended with Independent legislator and Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte's claim that the administration has turned "sluggish" in absence of a full-time Chief Minister.

"I have always been saying that CM's ill-health has had some sort of impact, and it is showing," added Sardesai, who heads the state's Agriculture Ministry.

Notably, a senior BJP leader while speaking to reporters in August on the condition of anonymity, had claimed that Parrikar had dialled party president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Ganesh Chaturthi -- urging them to be relieved of the chief ministerial charge.

A day after the Ganeshotsav festival, Parrikar was admitted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. On October 14, he was discharged from the hospital. However, the 62-year-old is still recuperating and the treatment for his pancreatic ailment is underway at his residence.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 23, 2018 09:21 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).