Team Herald
PANJIM: Even as speculations about the health of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar continue to make the rounds, the State Unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Goa said he would chair the upcoming cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The party has also lashed out at Congress over its statement that the State administration is on the verge of collapse due to the Parrikar’s ill-health.
“CM is in constant touch with his cabinet colleagues, clearing files, taking a stock of the situation in the State and will also address the cabinet on Wednesday,” party president Vinay Tendulkar told a press conference on Sunday.
He was responding to a media question on Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Shantaram Naik’s demand that under the current situation (when Parrikar was admitted to the GMC), CM should hand over the charge to senior most minister in his cabinet or any other colleague till the time he fully recovers and is in position to run the State.
Tendulkar shot back saying, “We don’t need Congress’ advice. We have a CM”.
The GPCC president had also alleged that the State administration was on the verge of collapse. The Opposition had further sought to know from the coalition government and BJP on the exact nature and severity of CM’s ailment.
Parrikar was on Thursday discharged from Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where he was admitted since February 25 for dehydration and low blood pressure. Soon after discharge, Parrikar took to social media to thank the people for their wishes and prayers for his speedy recovery.
“Happy to be home. Thank you for your prayers and good wishes,” he tweeted and also wished the people on Holi which was celebrated on March 2.
Conceding that CM is presently working from his residence at Dona Paula, Tendulkar further said that the former’s health is improving. “We (he along with general secretary Sadanand Shet Tanawade and other BJP colleagues) met CM after his discharge from the GMCH. His health is improving and we expect he attends the party’s Foundation Day in April. The entire State is praying for his fast recovery,” he said reiterating that Congress need not be anxious about the State administration and that if any decision needs to be taken, BJP will take a call on it.
In most probability, CM may start functioning from his official residence from Monday. Parrikar was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai on February 15 but was discharged on February 22, the day when he presented Budget in the State Legislative Assembly.
