Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar may soon have to leave for the United States of America for medical treatment as suggested by his doctor in Mumbai.
The Goa CMO said that Parrikar will travel to Mumbai for a health check-up and should the need arises, he may even go abroad for further treatment. A meeting was held by the CM on Monday called a meeting of his government’s senior ministers at his private residence in Dona Paula.
Ahead of leaving for Mumbai, Parrikar formed a cabinet advisory committee to take administrative decisions in his absence. The committee includes leaders such as Francis D’Souza of the BJP, Vijai Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Sudin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).
On February 15, Parrikar was admitted to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent treatment for a pancreatic ailment. He was discharged from the hospital on February 22, and on the same day he attended a session of Goa Legislative Assembly and presented the budget along with making a brief speech. The session was shortened by four days owing to Parrikar’s illness.
Yet again, the Goa CM was admitted to Goa Medical College and Hospital after he suffered mild dehydration on February 25. Later, he was discharged from the hospital on March 1.
“Today, the chief minister is traveling to Mumbai for further medical checkup and based on the doctor’s advice may travel overseas for further treatment,” the chief minister’s office said in a statement on Twitter. “Chief Secretary, Dharmendra Sharma and Principal Secretary to CM P. Krishnamurthy were called today and instructed on urgent and other important matters by Chief Minister @manoharparrikar. (sic),” the CMO said in another statement on Twitter.
The MGP and GFP are allies of BJP-led Goa government. Sardesai said to the news agency PTI that financial sanctions of more than Rs 50 lakh would be cleared by this committee. Furthermore, the mechanism has been put in place in order to avoid the paralysis of the administration in the chief minister’s absence.
On Saturday Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Goa unit had said it was incorrect to speculate about Parrikar’s health. Addressing questions from media, Goa BJP General Secretary Sadanand Shet Tanavade said Parrikar was routinely checking files, but he does not meet people, because doctors have advised him rest.