Goa CM Parrikar to resign on Saturday for taking up assignment at Centre

Parrikar, who is tipped to be India's Defence Minister, also said that he would also submit his resignation after the meeting of the BJP's parliamentary board, which is expected put a final seal on his elevation to the union cabinet.

The contenders for the Chief Ministerial post are Speaker Rajendra Arlekar, Health Minister Laxmikant Parsenkar and Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza.

Arlekar has solid Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) credentials and also enjoys the confidence of Parrikar. One potential blip on his record, however, is a petition by a lawyer activist pending in a trial court accusing the speaker of allegedly amassing disproportionate assets.

Parsenkar has been a state chief of the BJP on two occasions and like Arlekar has traditionally enjoyed the confidence of the chief minister.

On Wednesday, both Arlekar and Parsenkar said they were not actively gunning for the top slot.

D'Souza, on the other hand who has avoided the media, has in the past been a rallying point for dissenting legislators within the BJP, especially the Catholic legislators within the party.

He is also one of BJP's oldest minority faces. While his inconsistent health is a matter of concern, his appointment as chief minister could help the party appease the state's 26 percent Catholic population.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

BJP likely to shortlist three names for Parrikar's successor

BJP's legislative wing, which will be meeting Friday in Porvorim, will recommend names of Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza, state health minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar as Parrikar's successor.

A senior party functionary while confirming the three names said a formal announcement would be made by BJP's Parliamentary Board after its meeting in Delhi Saturday. Meanwhile, hectic political discussions and meetings continued during the night in Goa's capital city of Panaji.

All the BJP MLAs were huddled in a hotel during the night. "It is a matter of pride that Parrikar is likely to be inducted as country's Defence Minister. But, we will surely miss him here in Goa," said party's state unit president Vinay Tendulkar after emerging from a closed-door meeting late last night.

He refused to divulge the names likely to be short listed as Parrikar's successor, but said, "Capable person would be given the post."

Breaking his silence over reports about his possible appointment as Defence Minister, Parrikar had Thursday said that BJP chief Amit Shah had asked him to take up an assignment at the Centre, if offered, and that he was willing to shoulder the responsibility.

The 58-year-old senior BJP leader, who rode the party to victory in the 2012 state Assembly elections, was emotional while announcing his departure from state politics. "I am disturbed at leaving the post. But the nation is bigger than state for me. I have a mixed feeling," he told reporters.

Later on Thursday, the Chief Minister was choked with tears when he met select party workers in Panaji. "I am going to Delhi because they have asked me to take up the assignment. I will always be available for Goa whenever required," he said in a brief speech as he was unable to control his emotions.

"I will be emotional if I speak more," he said summing up the meeting.

Talking to a news channel, Parrikar said he would miss the "fish curry-rice", if he is selected for an assignment in Delhi.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News