Team Herald
PANJIM: Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday clarified that he is not in the race of becoming next chief minister of Goa. BJP has flagged of the party’s campaign on Saturday from South Goa.
“I am holding charge as defence minister in the union government. This means I am having responsibility of the entire country. I will continue as defence minister and will
not be contesting as chief minister candidate of the state,” Parrikar told reporters in presence of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar.
He said that decision on next chief minister for Goa would be taken by the party’s national president.
In 2012 assembly polls the BJP’s campaign was led by Manohar Parrikar, winning majority of constituencies. After two years as a chief minister in Goa he was elevated to the post of Defence Minister in Narendra Modi’s government at the Centre after 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Parrikar said that he is happy with the performance of successive chief minister Parsekar.
“I was in touch with him for next 6-7 months giving him feedback about the discussions which were midway during my period as the chief minister,” he said.
Parrikar said that with the sudden exit of his from Goa, Parsekar has managed in a very well manner.
