Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa’s two Union Ministers – Manohar Parrikar and Shripad Naik – reacted differently to senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari statement that the next CM for the State could be sent from Delhi.
Many saw it as a hint of a possible return of Defence Minister Parrikar to State politics, and he added to the suspense on Friday saying “let us cross the bridge when it comes”.
“I can only say that let us cross the bridge when it comes. Gadkariji has said what he wanted to say,” Parrikar said when asked whether he would be returning to the State as chief minister after the polls.
On the other hand, AYUSH Minister Naik said he was willing to head a government in his home State if the party asked him to do so.
He, however, made it clear that neither he nor Parrikar have asked the party to nominate them as chief ministerial candidates for the Assembly elections. “I have not asked for it. Also, Manohar Parrikar has not asked for it,” the AYUSH Minister said when asked about Gadkari’s remarks.
While Parrikar is a Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, Naik represents North Goa in the Lok Sabha.
Gadkari, addressing the media on Thursday had said that the elected MLAs will elect the Chief Minister who can either be from among the elected representatives or somebody sent by the Centre.
