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Goa govt formation LIVE updates: Preparations are on at the Raj Bhawan for the swearing in ceremony of the next Goa chief minister, which was expected to be held at 11 pm. India Today reported that the MLAs of the MGP are not on the same page and it is also likely that MGP MLA Sudin Dhavalikar may not be sworn in as the deputy chief minister. The Goa information department had said on Monday that the swearing-in ceremony of the next chief minister will be held at 11 pm. The BJP, however, is yet to announce the name of Manohar Parrikar’s successor. After holdings talks with BJP MLAs in Panaji, party chief Amit Shah said, “Nitin Gadkari is holding talks with our allies and Independent candidates. The announcement about the next chief minister will be made in a while. After that, the three parties will approach the governor to form the government.” According to reports, Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant is set to be the next Goa chief minister as the BJP has reached a consensus with its allies. Two deputy chief ministers will be also sworn in — Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) MLA Sudin Dhavalikar and GFP chief Vijai Sardesai. After a State funeral was accorded to Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, his mortal remains were consigned to flames at Miramar Beach in Panaji. Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Nitin Gadkari said, “No final decision has been taken on the chief minister yet. I will be leaving after 6 pm. I feel that if the decision is made by then, it will be a good thing.” The mortal remains of Manohar Parrikar reached Miramar beach for the last rites ceremony. BJP president Amit Shah, and the chief ministers of BJP-ruled states are at the beach to pay their final respects. Earlier, Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai said a stalemate persisted on the selection of the next chief minister following the death of Manohar Parrikar. BJP leaders in Goa have hinted that in case consensus is not reached with the allies regarding the new Goa chief minister, the government will appoint two deputy chief ministers. BJP has officially not announced anything till now. Earlier, the BJP had claimed that they will announce the new chief minister by 2 pm on Monday, but it seems most likely that the decision will be deferred till after Parrikar’s funeral concludes. According to TV reports, after several rounds of discussion two names have emerged as the top choices for the CM post — Pramod Sawant and Vinay Tendulkar. Reports failed to mention whether the allies are on the same page about the decision, however, anything at this point is merely speculative as the BJP has made no official confirmation on the new Goa chief minister. According to News18, Nitin Gadkari, who is in Goa for discussions about the new CM, is constantly in touch with Amit Shah who is expected to reach Goa shortly for Parrikar’s funeral scheduled for 5 pm today. Allaying speculations, state BJP chief Vinay Tendulkar said that everything will be clear by 2 pm. The BJP leader said that the announcement will come soon and they were planning for a swearing-in ceremony at 3 pm today. The Wikipedia page of Pramod Sawant has already been edited, calling him the Goa chief minister. “The Chief Minister who succeeded ex-CM Manohar Parikkar, Dr. Pramod Sawant was born on 24 April 1973 to Pandurang and Padmini Sawant,” his page read Goa deputy speaker Michael Lobo said that the candidate for chief minister post has been finalised. Lobo was quoted by The Times of India amid discussions with BJP allies in the state to come to a consensus for the appointment to the post. Amid discussion over the next chief minister, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP)’s executive committee is to take a call on whether to continue support to the BJP-led state government. MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar had on Sunday expressed his wish to become the next chief minister of Goa. On Monday, however, he rejected the idea that he was in the race for the top post. “The MGP would hold its executive committee meeting later in the day to decide whether to continue its support to the BJP-led government or not,” he told PTI. BJP Goa president Vinay Tendulkar has said that the party will reveal the name of the new Goa chief minister by 2 pm on Monday and one can expect the swearing-in ceremony to start by 3 pm. While TV channels quoted Tendulkar, there was no official confirmation on the same. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has begun round two of talks with BJP allies in Goa. News18 also reported that the core committee has zeroed in on Pramod Sawant as the new chief minister, but there is no official confirmation. Nitin Gadkari has begun a second-round of talks regarding the next Goa CM after the first round late on Sunday remained inconclusive after the talks reached a deadlock. Sources told News18 both Maharashtra Gomantak Party and Goa Forward Party are of the opinion that suspended Assembly can be an alternative in case of this deadlock. According to several reports, after paying last respects to the Goa Chief Minister, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has reportedly began round two of talks regarding picking the next chief ministerial face for the state. Gadkari arrived in Panjim late on Sunday and even after several meetings, the party leaders did not reach any consensus till Monday morning. According to reports, both the BJP and the Congress are keen to form the government in the state. Gadkari has begun the round two of talks. Aam Aadmi Party’s Elvis Gomes, Valmiki Naik and Pradeep Padgaonkar arrived at Kala Academy to pay their last respects to Manohar Parrikar. The final rites of Parrikar will be performed at 5 pm on Monday at the Miramar beach, next to the memorial of Goa’s first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar, who was also cremated at the site, PTI reported. Amid speculations over who the BJP will pick as the new Goa chief minister, one MLA has asserted that only a BJP MLA should become the next Goa chief minister. The remark comes at a time when leader of Maharashtra Gomantak Party, which is a BJP ally in the state, Sudin Dhavlikar expressed his wish to be the next Goa CM. BJP MLA Glenn Ticlo, speaking to ANI, said that the final decision on the chief minister candidate will be taken by the central leadership. Ticlo further asserted that it was only “obvious” that one of the 12 BJP MLAs should lead the state. “It is but obvious,” Ticlo was quoted as saying. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met to condole the death of Manohar Parrikar. After observing two minutes of silence, the Cabinet approved one-day national mourning across the country in the memory of the leader. Meanwhile, the mortal remains of Parrikar, which are currently at the BJP headquarters in Goa, will be brought to Kala Academy for the public to pay homage. The resolution passed by the Cabinet read, “In his passing away, the country has lost a veteran and distinguished leader, affectionately called as the Chief Minister of commoners. Shri Parrikar will be remembered for his simplicity and his abilities as an exceptional administrator. His contribution to the building of modern Goa and to the modernisation of India’s Armed Forces as well as improvement to the lives of ex.-Servicemen will never be forgotten. The Cabinet extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the people of Goa on behalf of the Government and the entire nation.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among the BJP leaders who will pay their last respects to the former defence minister today. Modi will be leaving for Goa shortly. At the BJP headquarters in Goa, party observer B L Santosh was the first to lay the wreath. Vinay Tendulkar, state party president, Speaker Pramod Sawant followed next, reports have said. Santosh, along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari held an overnight meeting with the BJP MLAs and alliance leaders to discuss succession plans in the state Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s mortal remains is being taken to the state BJP headquarters, media reported. While reports are saying that BJP’s Pramod Sawant has the edge in the race for the next Goa Chief Minister, everything is merely speculative at this point. Since Parrikar’s death was reported on Sunday, several names have been floating in the race for the next Goa chief minister while the Congress staked claim to the government. While the state BJP chief Vinay Tendulkar, who is also one of the frontrunners for the job, said that the party will announce the CM today, he also said that Parrikar’s funeral is the priority than government formation. “We will first have to pay a visit to his mortal remains. Then his body will be taken to the party office and after that a decision will be taken,” Tendulkar told the media after the meeting which was held at a city resort. Parrikar, who died after battling a long illness, will be accorded state funeral with full military honours on Monday, according to the home ministry. MHA joint secretary S K Shahi, in an order issued on Sunday, said the Ministry of Defence is requested to make arrangements for state funeral with full military honours. “It has been decided by the government that state funeral will be accorded to the departed dignitary,” Shahi has said in the circular. Despite BJP leaders and its allies in Goa saying that there is no consensus yet on the next chief minister of the state, state BJP chief and CM-hopeful Vinay Tendulkar said that the decision on the next chief minister will be taken today by 10 am. “Decision will happen today morning. We will be giving a letter to the Governor. We do not have chief minister (Manohar Parrikar). We will have to visit his mortal remains. Then his body will be taken to party office and then a decision will be taken. There is no problem about chief ministership. Other problems will be resolved by 10 am. We will go to governor after body is brought to BJP office,” state BJP chief was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. BJP MLA and deputy speaker in Goa Assembly Michael Lobo said that MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar demanded the CM job during the meeting with Nitin Gadkari last night. TV reports suggest that party members are prepping to take the mortal remains of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to the BJP headquarters where the former defence minister will be kept for a while after which he will be taken to Kala Academy. Mortal remains will lie in state for public homage till 4 pm after which the Goa chief minister embark on his last journey. “Sudin Dhavalikar wants himself to be the CM, while the BJP wants that the leader of the alliance should be from their camp. We could not reach to any decision,” Lobo told reporters outside a hotel after a night-long meeting. Lobo further added that a solution to the crisis is expected to be found later in the day. Lobo said BJP MLAs have suggested the names of Vishwajit Rane and Pramod Sawant for the post. The BJP-led alliance in Goa did not reach a consensus over the next chief minister earlier today, a move necessitated by Parrikar’ demise. Union minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari, who arrived in Goa late on Sunday, could not secure a consensus between the saffron party and its alliance partners in the state, party MLA Michael Lobo said. While Gadkari was not available for comments, BJP MLA Lobo said Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) MLA Sudin Dhavalikar wanted to be the chief minister due to which the discussions came to a halt. Newspaper reports said that after the passing away of Parrikar, top BJP leaders, including Nitin Gadkari and others, met in Goa to finalise the next government. Gadkari, followed by BJP leaders. Shripad Naik, Michael Lobo, Vishwajit Rane arrived at the Cidade De Goa. Gadkari met the party MLAs to formalise the name of the new chief minister candidate of Goa. With the Congress already written to Goa Governor staking claim to form Government, the BJP is most likely to announce Parrikar’s successor tonight. Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar died on Sunday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. The former defence minister passed away at 63 at his home in Panaji. Parrikar’s health deteriorated over the past two days and it is believed that he was put on life support on Saturday night. The Central government has announced national mourning on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his death, hailing Parrikar as 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,” Modi said in one of several tweets. Parrikar’s body will be kept at the Goa BJP headquarters in Panaji on Monday morning, after which it will be taken to Kala Academy for supporters to pay their last respects. His funeral procession will begin at 4 pm, and he will be cremated at Miramar at 5 pm. The BJP leader enjoyed acceptance from all sections of the party and beyond. Parrikar played a key role in making the BJP a force to reckon with in Goa, which remained for long a Congress bastion, with regional outfits having pockets of influence. With Parrikar’s demise, the BJP-led coalition in Goa has to search for a new leader to replace him. The death of the former defence minister, who represented the Panaji Assembly seat, will necessitate a fourth bypoll in Goa, where by-elections are scheduled for the Shiroda, Mandrem and Mapusa Assembly constituencies on 23 April. These will be held in Goa along with the Lok Sabha election.
Goa govt formation updates: Pramod Sawant, mentored by Manohar Parrikar, is new chief minister
Goa govt formation LIVE updates: Preparations are on at the Raj Bhawan for the swearing in ceremony of the next Goa chief minister, which was expected to be held at 11 pm.
 "Goa govt formation updates: Pramod Sawant, mentored by Manohar Parrikar, is new chief minister")
Goa’s new CM takes over
Newly-appointed Goa CM Pramod Sawant: I have to provide a stability & move ahead together with all allies. It'll be my responsibility to complete the incomplete works. I will not be able to work as much as Manohar Parrikar ji but I will definitely try to work as much as possible. pic.twitter.com/BImogFkxp0
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
Goa Raj Bhavan is buzzing with activity well into the wee hours of Tuesday
MGP’s Manohar Ajgaonkar, BJP’s Mauvin Godinho, Vishwajit Rane, Milind Naik and Nilesh Cabral, Goa Forward Party’s Vinod Palyekar and Jayesh Salgaonkar & Independent MLAs Rohan Khaunte and Govind Gawade also took oath at the Raj Bhavan as state cabinet ministers.
Goa: 11 leaders, including Sudin Dhavalikar of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward Party, also take oath at the Raj Bhavan as cabinet ministers. pic.twitter.com/TQzT6WaasO
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
Goa gets new CM and cabinet ministers at 2 am
Goa: 11 leaders, including Sudin Dhavalikar of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward Party, also take oath at the Raj Bhavan as cabinet ministers. pic.twitter.com/TQzT6WaasO
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
Pramod Sawant takes oath as Goa chief minister
Goa: Pramod Sawant takes oath as the new Chief Minister of the state, at the Raj Bhavan. pic.twitter.com/bFq1j1B80t
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
Congress on attack mode as Goa poised to get new CM
#NewsAlert: It'll be remembered as darkest day in Indian democracy where there's vacuum in govt for over 24 hrs of declaration of CM's death. State is without legitimate govt despite Cong being single largest & staking claim to form govt: Sunil Kawthankar, Goa Cong #GoaPolitics pic.twitter.com/rkOtQ2761t
— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 18, 2019
Pramod Sawant praises mentor Manohar Parrikar
Pramod Sawant: Party has given me a huge responsibility, I will try my best to carry it out in the best possible manner. Whatever I am today is all due to Manohar Parrikar. It was he who brought me to politics, I became the Speaker and the CM today, due to him. #Goa pic.twitter.com/Y6pBz3rbsL
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
Oath taking ceremony soon
Goa: Latest visuals from the Raj Bhavan in Panaji where the oath ceremony of the new Chief Minister is expected to be held shortly. pic.twitter.com/WwonFeXClV
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
It’s official: Pramod Sawant will be Goa CM
Latest reporting says BJP and allies are in the Goa Raj Bhavan. Nitin Gadkari is reportedly overseeing the latest developments on location.
Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Pramod Sawant to be the new Chief Minister of Goa. pic.twitter.com/l1609D5hli
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
Pramod Sawant, mentored by Parrikar, is frontrunner for Goa CM
Latest reporting suggests Pramod Sawant, the current Speaker of the Goa state legislature, will soon be sworn-in as the new Chief Minister. Sawant is a two-time MLA from Sanquelim constituency. He rose up the party ranks after starting as a karyakarta. Politics beat reporters say Sawant met with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur last year when calls for a leadership change in Goa became louder.
Tweet by BJP’s Gopal Krishna Agarwal confirms reports of Pramod Sawant succeeding Parrikar
Gopal Krishna Agarwal is the national spokesperson of the BJP.
Congratulations to Shri #PramodSawant ji on being #GoaChiefMinister
— Gopal Krishna Agarwal (@gopalkagarwal) March 18, 2019
NCP’s Jitendra Awhad says Parrikar was first victim of Rafale deal
NCP leader Jitendra Awhad said, “Manohar Parrikar was a very educated and well read person. I think after Rafale deal he did not feel right so he decided to go back to Goa. He was sad. I should not say this as he is not here today, but I feel he is the first victim of the Rafale deal”
Jitendra Awhad,NCP: #ManoharParrikar was a very educated and well read person.I think after Rafale deal he did not feel right so he decided to go back to Goa.He was sad. I should not say this as he is not here today but I feel he is the first victim of the #RafaleDeal pic.twitter.com/taLYhBlUNJ
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
Preparations underway for CM’s oath-taking ceremony
Preparations are on at the Raj Bhawan for the swearing in ceremony of the next Goa chief minister, which was expected to be held at 11 pm. India Today reported that there are all the MLAs of the MGP are not on one page and it is also likely that MGP MLA Sudin Dhavalikar may not be sworn in as the deputy chief minister.
Amit Shah is still holding meetings will BJP MLAs and allies. Pramod Sawant, who is reportedly going to be sworn in as the chief minister, is also at the meeting.
IIT-Bombay holds condolence meet for alumnus Parrikar
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) Monday held a condolence meet to pay tributes to its alumnus, Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar. The meeting was held at the institute’s PC Saxena auditorium, an IIT-B spokesperson said.
Some of those who attended the meeting recalled that in 2017, Parrikar addressed the 55th convocation of the Mumbai-based institute where he told the graduates to take up jobs in social and development sectors.
An alumnus of the famed institute, he had also asked students to join politics and the army, said a former IIT-B student.
PTI
Goa to have two deputy chief ministers
As per the power-sharing arrangement the BJP arrived at with allies, an MLA each from two small parties backing BJP in the coastal state will be made deputy chief minister, party sources said.
They are Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA Sudin Dhavalikar.
PTI
‘Swearing-in ceremony of the next chief minister at 11 pm’
Though the BJP is yet to announce Manohar Parrikar’s successor, the Goa information department has said that the oath-taking ceremony of the next chief minister will be held at 11 pm on Monday.
Goa Information Department: Swearing in ceremony of the next Chief Minister to be held at 11 pm today pic.twitter.com/eq2vSBPirf
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
RECAP | Congress staked claim to form govt earlier in the day
All the 14 Congress MLAs, led by Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, went to Raj Bhawan and handed over a letter to Mridula Sinha, saying it was the single largest party in the Assembly and should be allowed to form the government.
Due to demise of BJP MLA Francis D’Souza earlier in 2019 and Parrikar on Sunday and resignations of two Congress MLAs Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte in 2018, the strength of the Goa Assembly is now 36. The Congress is currently the single largest party in the state with 14 MLAs while the BJP has 12 in the 40-member Assembly. BJP is currently working on reaching a consensus with its allies — Goa Forward Party (GFP), the Maharashtrawadi
Gomantak Party (MGP) — to support its candidate to succeed Parrikar.
Devendra Fadnavis tweets after paying tribute to Manohar Parrikar
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was one of the chief ministers present during Manohar Parrikar’s funeral on Monday.
We have lost a true leader...
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 18, 2019
with such self-confidence,
Simplicity,
Transparency
Commitment
Dedication
Devotion ...
My humble tributes...#WeMissManoharParrikar pic.twitter.com/XN5OK6MTCE
Paid last respects and took darshan of our great leader and a warrior Shri Manohar bhai Parrikar ji this afternoon at Kala Academy, Panjim, Goa.#WeMissManoharParrikar pic.twitter.com/lDd45dyOEJ
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 18, 2019
BJP yet to receive letter of support from one ally, says report
CNN-News18 reported that the reason why the BJP hasn’t announced its decision on a successor for Manohar Parrikar is that they are yet to get a letter of support from one of the two allies. This letter is important to show the governor that the party has the numbers to form the government.
Announcement on next Goa CM likely in a while, says Amit Shah
Speaking to reporters, Amit Shah said, “Today, I came to Goa to pay tribute to Manohar Parrikar. With his demise, the BJP has lost a tall leader. The people of Goa and India are shaken due to his death. In this time of difficulty, we all stand with his family.
“Nitin Gadkari is here. He is holding talks with our allies and Independents. The announcement about the next chief minister will be made in a while. After that, the three parties will approach the governor to form the government.”
Speaker Pramod Sawant to take oath as Goa CM tonight, claim reports
Reports have claimed that the oath taking ceremony for Pramod Sawant to become the next Goa chief minister is likely to be held on Monday night. Sawant is now Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly.
Amit Shah’s meeting with MLAs underway
The Times of India reported that two MGP MLAs — Manohar Ajgaonkar and Deepak Prabhu Pauskar — arrived at the Panaji hotel to meet BJP chief Amit Shah.
Earlier, a BJP functionary had told PTI, “Amit Shah will meet alliance partners — the GFP, MGP and Independents — and try to convince them to arrive at a consensus on the candidate for the chief ministerial post.”
Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister accuses Congress of politicising Parrikar’s death
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma on Monday accused the Congress party of “politicising” the demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. “The way they have come forward to stake claim to form the government in the state shows that they had been waiting for him to die. It is highly insensitive on their part to play politics even in such situations,” said Sharma while talking to ANI.
”I was very close to him. He has done a lot not only for the state of Goa, but for India, too. He lived his life as an honest politician and served the nation till his last breath,” he said.
Vinay Tendulkar reacts to speculations on Manohar Parrikar’s successor
On reports that Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant to be next Goa chief minister, Goa BJP chief said, “This way, even my name is being brought up in reports. Names will keep coming. Now the leaders with sit and decide. I am sure the final decision will be made today.”
Vinay Tendulkar, Goa BJP Chief on reports that Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant to be next Goa CM: Aise mera bhi naam aa raha hai, sabka naam aa raha hai, aise to naam aate rahenge, abhi vidhayak baithenge aur decide karenge, aaj to pakka hojaega. pic.twitter.com/x8O1cOz89N
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, BJP Goa MLAs arrive at Panaji hotel for a meeting
BJP chief Amit Shah and Union minister Nitin Gadkari have arrived at a hotel in Panaji to hold meeting with Goa BJP MLAs, including Speaker Pramod Sawant.
BJP President Amit Shah,Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and BJP Goa MLAs including Pramod Sawant arrive at a Hotel in Panaji for a meeting pic.twitter.com/Wu1DSmE2c2
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
Pramod Sawant to be next Goa CM, say reports
CNN-News18 and India Today reported that Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant is set to be the next Goa chief minister as the BJP has reached a consensus with its allies. Two deputy chief ministers will be also sworn in — Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) MLA Sudin Dhavalikar and GFP chief Vijai Sardesai.
CNN-News18 said that the announcement on Sawant succeeding Manohar Parrikar will be made by Monday night.
Manohar Parrikar cremated with state honours
The Goa chief minister’s mortal remained have been consigned to flames at Miramar Beach in Panaji.
Visuals from Miramar Beach
Panaji: Visuals from the last rites ceremony of late Goa Chief Minister #ManoharParrikar. pic.twitter.com/LrdsXHmRuB
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
Last rites of Manohar Parrikar performed with full State honours
A 21-gun salute was accorded to honour Manohar Parrikar at Miramar Beach, where the final rites are being held. The former defence minister’s mortal remains will be consigned to flames shortly.
No decision on CM yet, says Nitin Gadkari
Speaking to reporters, Nitin Gadkari said, “No final decision has been taken on the chief minister yet. I will be leaving after 6 pm. I feel that if the decision is made by then, it will be a good thing.”
He further said that a decision had been taken on issue within the BJP. “We are in talks with alliance partners,” he said. Amit Shah, who is in the state for the final rites ceremony, is likely to take the talks further once Gadkari leaves the state.
Parrikar’s final rites to be performed next to Dayanand Bandodkar’s memorial
The final rites of Parrikar will be performed at the Miramar beach, next to the memorial of Goa’s first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar, who was also cremated there.
Mortal remains reach Miramar beach; State funeral for Goa chief minister
The mortal remains of Manohar Parrikar have been brought to Miramar beach for the last rites ceremony. BJP president Amit Shah, and the chief ministers of BJP-ruled states are at the beach to pay their final respects.
Parrikar will be accorded State funeral with full military honours at Mirama
Speaker Pramod Sawant’s supporters at Raj Bhawan
The Indian Express reported that BJP workers from Sanquelim constituency have reached the Raj Bhawan in support of Speaker Pramod Sawant as he next chief minister. Sawant is a two-time MLA from Sanquelim.
Parrikar’s work will be remembered for years to come, says Narendra Modi
After paying tribute to Manohar Parrikar at Kala Academy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet, “He (Parrikar) personified humility, simplicity and compassion. The good work he has done will be remembered for years to come.”
Paid tributes to my friend Shri Manohar Parrikar.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 18, 2019
He personified humility, simplicity and compassion.
The good work he has done will be remembered for years to come. pic.twitter.com/AX2o3yJZHe
Last rites to be held shortly
BJP president Amit Shah, and the chief ministers of BJP-ruled states are at Miramar, where the final rites will be held shortly.
Mortal remains being taken to Miramar
Thousands joined the funeral procession to pay respect to Manohar Parrikar. The last rites will be held at Miramar beach.
Mortal remains being taken out of Kala Academy
A funeral procession will be held for Manohar Parrikar, after which the last rites will take place.
Amit Shah reaches Goa
According to reports, BJP chief Amit Shah has arrived at the Goa airport and is headed for the funeral site.
Hectic parleys on to decide next Goa CM
As speculations mount over the issue of Manohar Parrikar’s successor, NDTV reported that BJP has made it clear to the allies, GFP and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, that Speaker Pramod Sawant will be the chief minister. The primary opposition to his candidature is that he doesn’t have much experience.
It further reported that the BJP has said if required, it will even bring in its national president Amit Shah to hold the talks with the allies in Goa.
Last rites to be held at 5 pm
After the last respects are paid, the funeral procession will begin at 4 pm and the last rites will performed at 5 pm at SAG grounds in Campal, approximately 4 kilometres from Panaji.
Stalemate on issue of next Goa CM continues, says Vijai Sardesai
Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai said a stalemate persisted on the selection of the next chief minister following the death of Manohar Parrikar.
The GFP and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party’s three MLAs each, an equal number of Independents, and BJP legislators have been meeting since late Sunday night to reach a consensus on Parrikar’s successor. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had flown into the state early Monday to lead the discussion.
Sardesai said he, along with other coalition partners, had raised certain apprehensions with Gadkari but was yet to get answers on them from the BJP. “We are yet to receive any response from them. We can understand that the BJP is busy with final rites of Parrikar,“ Sardesai said.
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