Team Herald

PANJIM: Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Arlekar put speculation of his return to Goa politics to rest. The delay in announcing Goa’s next CM and Arlekar’s meeting with Union ministers had led to speculation that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was intending to bring the veteran leader back to Goa.

However, Arlekar denied any such move. “Rumours floated because I met the President (Ram Nath Kovind) and Vice President (M Venkaiah Naidu) of India, and the Union Home Minister (Amit Shah), Finance Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman) and Defence Minister (Rajnath Singh). The meeting was regarding some long-pending issues of Himachal Pradesh and pre-scheduled,” he told Herald when contacted over the phone to ascertain the news.

When asked if he could be expected in Goa, he said it would be an unofficial visit. “I am coming to Goa for eight days from March 22. It has nothing to do with politics in Goa,” he said.

Arlekar, who has earlier served as the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, was elevated to the post of Governor of the hill state July 2021.