Rahul Gandhi meets Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, enquires about his health

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday met Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at the state Assembly complex in Panaji and enquired about his health.

Parrikar, 63, who has been suffering from a pancreatic ailment, heads the BJP-led government in the coastal state.

Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday also paid a surprise visit to the Goa Assembly on the first day of its three-day budget session. He arrived at the Assembly precincts just after noon and went to the opposition lobby. He met the Congress legislators. The Congress chief also met his 12 party MLAs

He has been in Goa since Saturday on a private visit along with his mother and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Congress President’s meeting with Goa CM comes just a day after he raised the Rafale tapes issue, referring to a taped conversation allegedly between state minister Vishwajit Rane and an unidentified person.

In the clip released by the Congress, Rane was purportedly heard saying that during a Goa cabinet meeting, Parrikar stated he had an entire file and all documents relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom

“30 days since the Goa Audio Tapes on RAFALE were released. No FIR or enquiry ordered. No action against the Minister either! It’s obvious that the tapes are authentic & that Goa CM, Parrikar, is in possession of explosive RAFALE secrets, that give him power over the PM,” Rahul had tweeted.

Chandrakant Kavlekar, Goa Congress Legislature Party chief however, said Rahul Gandhi was on a private visit and paid a courtesy call to Parrikar.

"It was a courtesy visit to enquire about Parrikar's health. There was no discussion other than enquiring about his health condition,” Kavlekar