Manohar Parrikar Seems Delhi-Bound, Search on For his Replacement in Goa

Panaji: Amid speculation that he will move to New Delhi to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will today meet all state BJP legislators to discuss his replacement, say sources.

Reports suggest PM Modi will expand his cabinet soon to relieve ministers juggling multiple portfolios and Mr Parrikar will join as Defence Minister. Currently, Arun Jaitley holds both the Finance and Defence ministries, but sources say the prime minister wants his full focus on finance ahead of his government's first Budget next year.

Mr Parrikar spent a day in Delhi on Wednesday meeting PM Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and others. "I came to discuss Goa issues. (PM Modi) did not say anything about that (union minister). Ask the PM," he told reporters later.

Sources close to Mr Parrikar told NDTV that if offered, the "party has permitted him to accept."

Before returning to Goa this morning, the 58-year-old remained noncommittal and chided reporters, saying, "Why put the horse before the cart?"

The BJP's options for Chief Minister of the popular beach destination include Health Minister Lakshmikant Parsekar and Goa Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar, both veterans deeply connected with the party's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Both have been state BJP presidents in the past and, along with Mr Parrikar, are credited with establishing the BJP's base in Goa while confronting the Maharashtra Gomantak Party and the Congress.

"I will go by whatever the party decides. I am not in the race. It will be the party's decision," said Mr Parsekar, a BJP legislator from Mandrem in north Goa. He led the party unit in 2002 and 2012 when the BJP won in Goa.

Mr Arlekar said he was ready for any role. "If the party gives me any responsibility I will handle it to my best capacity," said the legislator from Pernem.

Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza is also a candidate for the top post, say sources.

The Goa BJP is also expected to discuss a candidate for the Panaji seat, which will fall vacant if Mr Parrikar moves to the central government.