Manohar Parrikar took active part in cabinet meet: Vishwajit Rane

PANAJI: Rejecting the Congress claim that the chief minister merely remained seated at the cabinet meeting held last week and did not interact with his cabinet colleagues, health minister Vishwajit Rane said Parrikar actively participated and made several suggestions.

He said the chief minister is “recouping and still alert”, and it would be incorrect to say that he attended the meeting just for a photo-op.

“He is recouping and we must allow him to recoup,” Rane said, adding, “Any person other than Parrikar would have collapsed by now due to exhaustion.”

Rane said Parrikar touched all issues on the agenda including the regularisation of sports department staff.

Stating that Congress has been after the chief minister day in and day out, he said that since Parrikar is unwell it must not be construed that whatever is being done is ‘morphed’.

Following the cabinet meeting, the opposition had alleged that Parrikar’s photo showing his presence for the meet was morphed.

Rane also dismissed allegations that the administration has taken a beating in Parrikar’s absence.

“The aura around Parrikar’s name itself is sufficient to make the administration function,” he said.

A few days ago, town and country planning (TCP) minister Vijai Sardesai, had said it is but natural that when the chief minister of the state is immobile or missing in action, the state administration is affected.