Team Herald
PANJIM: Following his illness and undercurrents of possible political rumblings, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday held a meeting with his alliance partners to reassert the strength and unity of his coalition government before departing to Mumbai for further treatment.
The chief minister, who left for Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital, is expected to leave for the US based on doctor’s advice. He is expected to be out of action for over six weeks.
Before leaving for Mumbai on a special flight, the Chief Minister had series of meetings on Monday with bureaucrats, cabinet colleagues and MLAs.
He had one-on-one meetings with Goa Forward leader and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, RDA Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar, Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister Manohar Babu Azgaonkar, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, NCP’s lone MLA Churchill Alemao. He met Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar and Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo jointly.
“We are informed by Chief Minister that he won’t be there for next six weeks. A cabinet advisory committee has been formed which will handle the cabinet decisions,” Gaude said.
Khaunte, however said,
“It was just a courtesy visit and to ensure smooth functioning of everything”.
Sources revealed that MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, Speaker Pramod Sawant, MLA Rajesh Patnekar, MLA Prasad Gaonkar, MGP MLA Deepak Pauskar and South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, who are in Delhi to meet central minister on mining issue, are expected to meet him in Mumbai tonight or Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, with uncertainty over Parrikar’s medical conditions, rumours suggest that the MGP is all set to merge with the BJP – thus paving way for Sudin Dhavalikar to be named as the caretaker CM in case Mr Parrikar’s absence gets too prolonged medically. However that’s in the realm of uncertainty.
However, both BJP and MGP have denied the moves with the MGP central committee taking resolution against merger last week.
