BJP “exploring alternatives” to ailing Goa CM Manohar Parrikar; report

NDTV on Friday, September 14 quoting sources reported that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will "explore alternatives" in Goa after ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar spoke to party president Amit Shah amid illness.

Earlier on Friday, top BJP leaders and alliance ministers in Goa’s BJP-led coalition cabinet on Friday met Parrikar at a private clinic in Candolim, for the first time since Parrikar returned from his third visit to the United States, where he is undergoing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer.

Parrikar is fine, both PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward had said after meeting the Chief Minister.

"His health is good," Sardesai told reporters, after meeting Parrikar at the private clinic in Candolim. Dhavalikar said the Chief Minister was working at the hospital and clearing files.

When asked if the alliance leaders had sought a change of Parrikar's leadership, in view of the Chief Minister's poor health, Dhavalikar had said: "He is doing work. When he is doing work, where is the question of taking charge."

The 62-year-old former Defence Minister, who had been resting at his private residence near Panaji ever since his return from the US on September 6, was admitted to the clinic operated by a relative last week, before being admitted a second time, two days back, after sources said he had developed fever.

The Chief Minister has not attended office since his return from New York, inviting criticism from the Opposition as well as civil society.

BJP sources also said central observers would arrive in Goa soon to take stock of the political situation in view of Parrikar's illness.

Parrikar had stepped out of clinic to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Parra

Also on Friday, Parrikar had left the private hospital to attend Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at his ancestral home in Parra village, located about 10 km from state capital Panaji. Parrikar surprised waiting journalists by walking out of the clinic in Candolim, wearing a non-customary full-sleeved white shirt and stepping into the front seat of a waiting car, which drove straight to his ancestral residence, where other members of his family were awaiting him.

Sources said he is expected to head back to the clinic, after paying his respects to the Ganesh idol at his ancestral residence.

With IANS inputs