HE’S BACK …Parrikar returns

Team Herald

PANJIM: Surprising everyone, his party,  his cabinet colleagues, MLAs  but perhaps not himself, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar landed in Goa on Thursday in a special aircraft a couple of hours after being discharged from Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai where he was admitted since February 15.

From hospital bed to the floor of the House in half a day is perhaps a new record in Indian legislative history.

Parrikar was undergoing medical treatment for pancreatitis. Following repeated requests from the Chief Minister, doctors discharged him Thursday morning on condition that he ensures he is not infected.

The Chief Minister is expected to return to Lilavati in the next two-three days, where sources say he would be treated by doctors from the United States. “US-based doctors will be landing in Mumbai to treat Parrikar,” sources said, though this has not been confirmed by Parrikar’s family or Lilavati hospital sources.

The Chief Minister, who later presented the State Budget 2018-19, arrived in a special charter that landed at Dabolim airport at around 11.40 am. He was accompanied by his elder son Utpal, BJP leaders and his personal security staff.

From the airport, the Chief Minister was driven to his home in Dona Paula in a private car. After some much-needed rest, he reached the State Assembly at around 2.30pm under very tight security.

“Parrikar has so much will power that he has recovered and is today amongst us. Undoubtedly, he will take some time to recover fully, but it is a good sign that he is walking, can talk and interact. We are happy,” Deputy Speaker and BJP MLA Michael Lobo said.

“I am happy that the Chief Minister is back. He should not strain himself much, after all, life is more important than anything else and we need a person like him who is well educated,” Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane, who also appreciated his courage on the floor of the House, said.

At home, Parrikar held a meeting with Finance Department officials on the Budget speech. The speech was prepared by officials as dictated by the Chief Minister. During the meeting he expressed his disappointment over the short budget speech. An officer told Herald he made the officers add a few paragraphs there and then.

Thereafter at the State Assembly, he chaired a cabinet meeting and tabled the financial statement.

A huge crowd had gathered at the Assembly complex to have a glimpse of the Chief Minister, who greeted  everyone. Right from Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant to Ministers and MLAs all were present to welcome the Chief Minister.

“Doctors have advised him to be careful about infection. He has been directed not to shake hands or talk to people at a close distance. He has to maintain distance from the public,” sources said.

Sources confirmed that he had been receiving strong treatment over the last few days. “After initially being on a liquid diet and saline, he had a solid diet on Wednesday night. Doctors are seeing a lot of improvement in the health condition. The Chief Minister is also responding well,” sources added.

In a statement issued later, the Chief Minister said that for complete recovery, he has been advised to take some precautions in the immediate short term. “During this period my interaction with the public will be limited. However, I will be discharging my regular duties and obligations as the Chief Minister of the State,” Parrikar said.

He was accompanied by his elder son Utpal to the State Legislative Assembly. Soon after placing the Budget, Parrikar left for home.

“Chief Minister has shown that in a normal situation anyone who is suffering from a huge predicament health issue at the movement would have slept at home, but he has decided to come here and place the budget which is pro-people,” TCP Minister Vijay Sardesai said.

BJP sources revealed that Mr Parrikar landed in Goa against the wishes of his family as he was determined to table the Budget. “It is his will that made him come today. He himself arranged for the charter. His family was with him but they wanted him to come back after the Budget session. But still he came against their wishes,” MLA Nilesh Cabral said.

PWD Minister Ramakrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar was supposed to present the Budget in absence of Parrikar. However, everything was changed at the last minute. “The Budget was prepared in very less time by the Chief Minister and tabled. The way he came and placed the Budget shows how much love he has for Goa,” Dhavalikar said.

The Congress too welcomed the Chief Minister. “I felt very good that Chief Minister was back in the House. I pray for his good health and he should recover fast so that he can get back to work,” Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said.

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