CM Manohar Parrikar, to hold cabinet meet this week, says state BJP chief

PANAJI: Rubbishing the Congress demand for the appointment of a caretaker chief minister or for an alternate arrangement in view of the health condition of the incumbent chief minister Manohar Parrikar, BJP state president Vinay Tendulkar on Sunday said Parrikar’s condition was improving.
The chief minister has indicated that he will hold a cabinet meeting this week, Tendulkar said.

He told reporters that Parrikar has been discharging all his routine duties as chief minister from his residence in Taleigao, where he is presently recuperating.

Tendulkar said there is no basis to the Congress demand of appointing a caretaker chief minister or making any other such alternative arrangements.

“Congress need not advise us. No such process is on. We have a chief minister already. He speaks to his cabinet colleagues on a day-to-day basis. He has said he would hold a cabinet meeting. He will avoid mingling with people for another 10 to 15 days only as per doctor’s advise,” said Tendulkar.

The chief minister could not hold his regular cabinet meeting last week. Sources, however, said Parrikar is likely to be moved out of Goa for further treatment later this week.

Parrikar is being treated for pancreatitis since February 15.

“Two days ago, after the chief minister was discharged from Goa Medical College and Hospital, our general secretary and I met him. His health is improving,” said Tendulkar.

“We spent around 25 minutes with him. We discussed party work with him. Party foundation day celebrations in April were also discussed. He is looking at routine files. He is not coming to work because doctors have asked him not to mingle with too many people as a precaution for his health. Why should we speculate so much about it?” he said when asked if Parrikar’s ailment was anything more severe than the official statement that he is being treated for pancreatitis.

Responding to a question from reporters as to why prayers like the ‘mahamrutyunjay jaap’, which Hindu faithfuls believe helps avert death, is being held for Parrikar by his supporters in Goa, Tendulkar said, “People are praying, it is their sentiment, we cannot stop them. We are not conducting such prayers.”