Panaji: Manohar Parrikar is all set to tender his resignation as Goa Chief Minister today at around 11:30 am, paving the way for his induction into the Narendra Modi Cabinet on Sunday. Parrikar will be the first Goa politician to occupy a high position in the Union Cabinet.
“I will tender my resignation around 11:30 tomorrow (Saturday)... and within two hours new Chief Minister would be sworn-in," Parrikar had told reporters here after attending the crucial meeting of party legislators yesterday.
During the meeting, three names -- state Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar and Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza -- were shortlisted for the top post in the state. Sources said that Parsekar is the front-runner for the chief ministerial post.
A meeting of BJP legislature party will be held here to choose his successor. The party has already deputed senior leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy and BS Yeddyurappa to oversee the developments.
“The legislature party of Goa BJP will meet to decide the name and then it will be forwarded to the Parliamentary Board,” Rudy had said yesterday.
Parrikar said that the BJP Parliamentary Board, scheduled to meet in New Delhi today, will take a final call on his successor.
The BJP has 21 MLAs, including Parrikar, in the 40-member House.
58-year-old Parrikar, who led BJP to victory in the 2012 Assembly polls, is expected to take over in Delhi from Arun Jaitley, who has held dual charge of two critical portfolios Finance and Defence.
