Goa BJP meeting on Parrikar succession plan

Panaji: The Goa BJP's core committee met on Sunday to discuss a succession plan in view of ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's failing health.

Former BJP minister Dayanand Mandrekar, who is also part of the committee said ahead of the meeting that for a government to function there needs to be a Chief Minister who can take decisions.

"We will also be discussing that... If Manohar Parrikar was well, there would be no need to change the leader. 

"But because his health is critical now and there is day to day deterioration (in his condition) the party has to take a call," Mandrekar said.

"If a government has to be run, you need a chief minister, you need a cabinet leader because a cabinet has to take many decisions," he added.

Party sources also said that some central functionaries of the party were also expected to arrive in Goa to oversee the discussions. Finding a successor to Parrikar took centre-stage after his health on Saturday deteriorated considerably.

Several BJP leaders on Saturday said that the condition of Parrikar, who is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, was critical.

Parrikar was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in February 2018 and has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New York since.

He is currently being treated at his private residence near Panaji. 

On Saturday, his blood pressure had dropped considerably, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik said.