Goa CM expires
Four-time Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar (63) died at his private residence in Goa on Sunday, 17th March after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer for over a year.Mr. Parrikar, the tallest BJP leader of Goa, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February last year and has been in and out of hospital within the country and abroad. At the time of his death, he was taking treatment at home.
Last year he was rushed to the state-run Goa Medical College hospital when he complained of stomach pain and then flown to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. The cause of stomach ache was then attributed to ‘food poisoning’ and much later after he returned from treatment in U.S., it was officially declared that he was suffering from cancer.
Mr. Parrikar resigned as Chief Minister and served as Defence Minister from 2014-17 on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He returned to State politics to lead a coalition government of disparate parties and independents headed by the BJP, as Chief Minister in 2017, after Goa had a hung house and the BJP had lost power.
Mr. Parrikar was the first Indian Institute of Technology alumnus (of IIT, Bombay) to serve as Chief Minister of Goa in 2000. He became Chief Minister for four terms, but, ironically, could not complete a single full term in office.
The Prime Minister, the President and other politicians from across parties expressed their condolences. The country lost a good leader.
Pramod Sawant from BJP will be replacing him as Chief Minister.