PANAJI: Days, after Union minister Nitin Gadkari fired up speculations about the chief ministerial candidate in poll-bound Goa, BJP chief Amit Shah on Monday, said the next government in the state will “function under Parrikar’s leadership, irrespective of his posting.”
“Goa has given a big asset to the country in Manohar Parrikar. There is a huge demand for Parrikar in Delhi and also here in Goa. The people of Goa demand that we should send Parrikar back to the state,” Shah said addressing a public meeting in Vasco town.
Manohar Parrikar, currently the Defense Minister of the country, has earlier served as the chief minister of Goa.
“(Prime Minister) Narendrabhai (Modi) needs him (Parrikar) at the Centre as well. We will decide after elections where Parrikar will be working. But let me assure you that wherever Parrikar may be working, the Goa government will function under his leadership,” the BJP national president said.
Speculations on who will don the mantle of CM of the coastal state reached feverish pitch after Gadkari, the election in-charge of Goa, had said the CM candidate will either be chosen by the elected representatives or a leader could be sent from the Centre, perceived as a reference to Parrikar.
CM’s assets down in 4 years
Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar is amongst the four sitting MLAs whose assets have decreased in the last five years, according to affidavits filed by them before the Election Commission. Parsekar, who is contesting from Mandrem constituency has claimed that his wealth has reduced by Rs 1.76 crore as against in 2012, states the affidavit. In 2012, Parsekar had shown his movable and immovable assets at Rs 10.74 crore which now stand at Rs 8.98 crore.