PANJIM: In a late night development, Speaker Pramod Sawant rushed to New Delhi. He left on a 10 pm flight. Sources said that Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo also left for the National Capital. When contacted Sawant confirmed to Herald that he was leaving for Delhi. “Yes, I am leaving for Delhi but it is on a private visit,” Sawant said.

The trip assumes significance as Sawant is one of the contenders for the chief minister’s post to replace Manohar Parrikar who is ailing.

Other names being discussed are of Ayush Minister Shripad Naik, Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane.  Meanwhile the meeting between BJP national president Amit Shah and alliance partners Vijai Sardesai and Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar has been postponed to Thursday. Speaking to Herald, Sardesai said Shah was in the North East on Wednesday and would be back late.