PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who had once slammed former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat for his temple visits across the country, is now ironically following in the latter’s footsteps. Only he’s doing it in his home State.
Since November 8, when he was sworn in as chief minister, succeeding Manohar Parrikar, Parsekar, accompanied by his wife Smita, has been on numerous spiritual visits across the State seeking the blessings of the Gods.
The new Chief Minister’s first religious visit was to Mahalaxmi temple in Panjim, on the day he assumed charge on November 10. Parrikar, too had sought the blessings of Goddess Mahalaxmi before resigning as Chief Minister and taking oath as Union Defence Minister.
Parsekar then visited temples in his constituency Mandrem and in Pernem taluka, besides making a trip to the Mhalsa temple in Verna.
While Kamat’s visits were restricted to temples, Parsekar, in the past few weeks has also visited churches, including some in Old Goa.
He was at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa on November 22, for the inaugural of the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier and returned there on Wednesday for the feast of the Saint. Parsekar has also visited churches in Siolim and Calangute.
Sources close to the Chief Minister said there are currently no plans for religious visits outside Goa.
