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PANAJI: Manohar Parrikar, Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister, who had been battling a pancreatic ailment for more than a year, has died at his son’s home in Panaji. He was 63.
Mr Parrikar’s health had been fluctuating for several days and worsened on Saturday morning. The former Defence Minister had been in and out of hospital in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New York since February last year.
The three-time chief minister had said in January that he “will serve Goa till my last breath.” Mr Parrikar, in recent months, had made public appearances with a tube in his nose, looking frail.
While presenting the state budget of the Goa assembly in January, he made up for his weakened delivery with rousing words: “Present circumstances have prevented me from delivering a detailed budget speech, but there is a josh that is too high, very high and I am in hosh. Fully in hosh.” He had paused for sips of what news agency IANS said was medication.
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Monday 07 Oct. 2024
Mr Parrikar had also inaugurated a bridge in Goa earlier this year where he drew loud cheers after he delivered the punchline – “how’s the josh?” – from the blockbuster “Uri: The Surgical Strike”. Mr Parrikar was the Defence Minister in 2016 when India conducted a surgical strike on terror launch pads across the Line of Control days after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri.
Mr Parrikar headed a coalition government, which is supported by the Goa Forward Party (GFP), the Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party (MGP), and three Independent lawmakers in Goa. His death leaves the state in a crisis, as the Congress has written to the Goa Governor to dismiss the “minority” government, and to invite them to form the government.
It was during Manohar Parrikar’s tenure as Defence Minister that the re-negotiated Rafale fighter jet deal between India and France was inked. The deal has dominated headlines as the Congress has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of corruption while alleging Mr Parrikar had no idea about the deal signed between the two countries.’
Parrikar was one of Goa’s favourite sons: Rahul:
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday condoled the demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and described him as ‘one of Goa’s favourite sons’.
He said Parrikar was respected and admired across party lines and had bravely battled his illness for over a year.
‘I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Goa CM, Shri Manohar Parrikar Ji, who bravely battled a debilitating illness for over a year.
‘Respected and admired across party lines, he was one of Goa’s favourite sons. My condolences to his family in this time of grief (sic),’ Gandhi said on Twitter.
The Congress on its official Twitter handle also said, ‘We condole the passing of former Union Minister & Chief Minister @manoharparrikar. We hope that his family finds strength in their moment of grief.’
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, ‘Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Manohar Parrikar ji, Chief Minister of Goa. My heartfelt condolences to his family members..May his soul rest in peace.’
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, ‘Sad to learn about the passing away of Shri Manohar Parrikar, CM of Goa. He was a cordial man, who was admired across party lines. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.’
