PANJIM: Notwithstanding the growing criticism over his frequent trips to Goa on weekends, Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar flew into Goa on a Defence aircraft on Tuesday and stated he will continue to visit the State as it is an ‘energy source’ for him.
“Let anyone say whatever they want but I will continue to come to Goa, my eye will always be on Goa,” Parrikar said adding that in his absence Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has handled the State affairs smoothly.
“Goa is an energy source for me. Even though I am in Delhi, my roots will be in Goa. I maybe in government in Delhi but politically it will be always Goa. Therefore my eye will always be on the State,” he said addressing the crowd gathered to felicitate Parsekar on his 60th birthday.
Immediately after the Union cabinet expansion and meeting, Parrikar rushed to Goa along with Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik in a special Defence aircraft, which he claimed he usually doesn’t use.
Parrikar, a former Chief Minister said it is not just people in Goa but even in Delhi who are upset over his frequent visits to Goa. “In Goa people are upset as they feel I may play a spoil sport to their plans to wipe out BJP in the coming elections,” he said.
“While, some people in Delhi are upset because they fear that I will upset their ambitions to win elections in this State (Goa). After looting Delhi now they are eyeing Goa. Not that they take money personally. But their private secretaries do that. I heard, one of them is in jail,” the Defence minister said, hinting at AAP.
