NT NETWORK
PANAJI
Stating that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar would be back in Goa after a period of six weeks, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday ruled out change in leadership in the state. “All such discussions are baseless,” he added.
Speaking further, Gadkari said that on Monday he spoke to Parrikar, who is receiving treatment for his ailment in the US. “I have also spoken to the doctors there, and they have expressed hope that he would get relief from the ongoing treatment, and return with good health,” he said.
“This is a two-month transit period when Parrikar will be absent in Goa,” Gadkari stated, adding that the ministers appointed by Parrikar on the cabinet advisory committee are mature enough and would handle the state administration well, for a period of these two months.
The Union Minister
further maintained that Parrikar had approached him before falling ill, and requested to help Goa out of its financial crisis. “Therefore, the Centre will now be bearing half the cost towards construction of the third bridge on the River Mandovi as well as fifty per cent of the cost of the ring road, which comes to Rs 400 crore and Rs 50 crore, respectively,” he added.
Gadkari, replying to a question as regards the nature of illness of Parrikar said that this is irrelevant and should be left to the doctors, who have diagnosed his illness. “Our concern should be improvement in his health,” he ended.