Parrikar could be shifted to US for treatment ‘if need be’, says Goa Dy Speaker

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was rushed to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai on February 15 for treatment of "mild pancreatitis". On February 17, the CMO denied reports that Parrikar underwent a surgery, claiming that his health was improving. Speaker Pramod Sawant appealed people not to believe rumours about the chief minister's health. “He is recovering at the hospital in Mumbai. We wish him speedy recovery. I appeal people not to believe the rumours that are being spread,” Sawant said.

The latest update on Monday is that Parrikar can be shifted to the US for further treatment, "if need be", Deputy Speaker and BJP MLA Michael Lobo said on Monday. "We want him. We will do everything we can. He could be taken to the US if need be," Lobo told reporters at the state assembly complex on Monday. In Parrikar's absence, the legislative wing of the Goa BJP has chosen senior leader Francis D'souza as the party's leader in the House, as the Budget session of the state Assembly starts today.

Journalist who wrote about Parrikar's health barred from Goa assembly

BJP worker Sunil Desai has filed a complaint at Ponda police station against unknown persons for circulating "false news" on two occasions on February 17 and 19. "This is to bring to your kind notice, that some people are circulating false news about our Chief Minister's health and misguiding the people in my name," Desai said. Desai was quoted in some reports on Parrikar's health circulated on WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, Harish Volvoikar, a journalist who runs GoaJunction.com, was on Monday barred from entering the precincts of the Goa legislative assembly, two days after he sent across a message about Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's ill-health and later retracted it. "I am not being allowed to enter the assembly complex, arbitrarily. I have the required security pass to enter the assembly complex as I have been (having) for the last few years," Volvoikar told reporters at the assembly complex.

The journalist also had a confrontation with Atmaram Barve, Officer on Special Duty to the Goa Speaker Pramod Sawant over the issue. Speaking to reporters, Barve did not deny barring Volvoikar from the assembly complex. "We will discuss with the Speaker," Barve said.

When questioned about the reasons why barred Volvoikar from entering the assembly complex Speaker Pramod Sawant said: "Who is he?" He also said that he would look into the issue.

On Saturday, GoaJunction.com had released a news message about Parrikar's failing health and later retracted it.

With agency inputs.