Parrikar gets BJP's nod to become Goa CM

Panaji (Goa) [India], Mar. 12 (ANI): As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is staking its claim to form a government in Goa with the support of the regional parties, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said Manohar Parrikar will resign as Defence Minister in order to take oath as the next chief minister. "Manohar Parrikar will have to give resignation as Defence Minister before becoming Goa's Chief Minister, but he has not given it yet. According to Constitution, before taking oath as the chief minister, he needs to resign from the post of Defence Minister, but he has not resigned yet. We will later decide as to when will the oath taking ceremony take place upon meeting the Governor and after that he may resign," Gadkari said in a press briefing. Gadkari further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah have been informed and have given permission on the same. "In a parliamentary board meeting convened by Prime Minister Modi and party chief Amit Shah they have given permission to let Manohar Parrikar serve Goa," he said. Informing that there are other MLAs who have expressed their desire to support Parrikar, Gadkari said, "Though Parrikar has the support of 21 MLAs, there were still other members who want to support him. However we have not received any letter from them." Parrikar, who was also present at the press briefing, said that they are expecting an invitation from the governor and the date for the swearing-in ceremony would be decided later. "This is a mandate given by the people though we fell short of majority, together we have completed the magic figure of 21. But at this stage we could get 21 together...so we went to the governor. We are expecting a call invitation from her so, once the invitation is received we will consult our colleagues and decide the date for the swearing in," Parrikar said. Parrikar, along with BJP MLAs, three MGP MLAs, three Goa Forward Party MLAs and three other Independent MLAs, met the Governor to discuss the possibility of forming a government. Envisioning stability in Goa's political scenario, Goa Forward Party MLA Vijay Sardesai came out in support of a BJP Government to be formed in the state. "In the interest of Goan regionalist development, we are supporting BJP. There is no consensus in the principle party. However, we believe that Parrikar is most suitable for the position of Chief Minister since he can drive development in the state," said Sardesai. "We will incorporate a Common Minimum programme within one month of formation of the Government," he added. Echoing a similar opinion, Rohan Khaunte, an independent MLA stated that the current agenda is to channelise development in the state under Parrikar's leadership. (ANI)