The sudden demise of Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar has left a void in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with condolences from prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been pouring in since last one hour. The news came as a shock, especially to the Goa BJP unit, who will now have to search for a new chief minister for the state. Parrikar (63) died of a pancreatic ailment at his private residence near Panaji this evening.
Hours after the news of Parrikar's demise was made public by President Ram Nath Kovind, Modi took to Twitter and condoled the death of former defence minister of India.
"Shri Manohar Parrikar was an unparalleled leader. A true patriot and exceptional administrator, he was admired by all. His impeccable service to the nation will be remembered by generations. Deeply saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti," the prime minister wrote.
Describing Parrikar as the builder of modern Goa, Modi said, "Thanks to his affable personality and accessible nature, he remained the preferred leader of the state for years. His pro-people policies ensured Goa scales remarkable heights of progress".
"India will be eternally grateful to Shri Manohar Parrikar for his tenure as our Defence Minister. When he was RM, India witnessed a series of decisions that enhanced India’s security capacities, boosted indigenous defence production and bettered the lives of ex-servicemen," he wrote in a series of tweets.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BSP president Mayawati, BJP leaders Subramanian Swamy, Nitin Gadkari, Congress national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are among other prominent leaders who expressed condolences on Parrikar's demise.
Parrikar, who was appointed defence minister of Indian in 2014, was sworn in as Goa chief minister in 2017 after he won from Panaji in the same year. He was heading a coalition government comprising the BJP, Goa Forward Party, MGP and Independents.
The death of the BJP minister, who represented the Panaji assembly seat, will also necessitate a fourth bypoll in Goa, where by-elections are scheduled for the Shiroda, Mandrem and Mapusa assembly constituencies on April 23. These will held in the state along with the Lok Sabha Elections 2019.
After the news of Parrikar's broke, the coalition partners have called emergency meetings. The three Goa Forward Party MLAs led by Vijai Sardesai and the MGP's three MLAs will meet separately later in the evening.
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