Team Herald

CANDOLIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar got up from his hospital bed to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesh and attend rituals at his ancestral residence in Parra on Friday. He has been performing this ceremony and observing these rituals for decades.

Parrikar, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment was on Thursday admitted to a private clinic in Candolim.

After receiving treatment and adequate rest for a day, he left the clinic at 4.30 pm and reached his ancestral residence, eight kms away, where he spent 20 minutes before returning to the clinic.

Alliance partners and BJP’s core committee members visited the chief minister to greet him and inquire about his health but remained silent on the meeting with Parrikar conducted to discuss the future course of action.

“There is no problem with him at all. Whatever decision is taken on leadership it will be accepted by me but right now CM is doing his work. Everyone is here OSD, PS and even the files are here. When he is doing work where is the question of anyone taking charge? At this stage there is no leadership change,” Dhavalikar said.

Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte rubbished claims of a leadership change and said, “He is good and the fact that he has gone to Parra and come back indicates that. He is here and will be here only and is not going to the USA. All apprehensions are in the mind of the people. It is very clear he is healthy and getting well.”

TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said that the BJP Central observer would be in the State soon. “CM is fine and had gone to his ancestral place to seek the blessings of lord Ganesha. I don’t know and am not aware about his (Sudin) candidature for the CM’s post. The BJP Central observer will be coming on Saturday and then we will see,” Sardesai said.

Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude also made his presence felt at the Candolim clinic. “We have not received any feedback of anyone taking charge. We had only come here to enquire about his health. Last two to three days I was trying to meet CM but today I received a call stating I could meet him so I came,” he said.

“I am an Independent candidate and don’t know anything about the BJP,” Gaude said when asked what was the outcome of the BJP core committee meeting.

Asked if the BJP had a succession plan in place, spokesman Siddharth Kunkolienkar said, “The BJP is an organised party and definitely has a succession plan. The condition of CM is good and he is stable. On the occasion of Chaturthi everyone meets and greets each other and hence we all met to exchange greetings.”