Doctors to take a final call whether Parrikar may be allowed to travel; BJP says he is clearing files through emails and attending calls.
New Delhi: Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who has been undergoing treatment in the US for almost three months now, is likely to return mid-June, ThePrint has learnt.
General secretary of Goa BJP Sadanand Tanavade confirmed the news but said the date of Parrikar’s arrival is yet to be finalised.
Parrikar, diagnosed with advanced stage pancreatic cancer, had been making the rounds of hospitals since February this year. He had spent a few days in Mumbai’s Lilavati hospital before leaving for the US.
According to Tanavade, Parrikar’s condition is expected to be reviewed by the entire team of doctors, involved in his treatment, on 16 June before giving him clearance for travelling.
“He is perfect and will return soon. The final date will come to us once the doctors give him the go-ahead,” said Tanavade, who is also supervising the arrangements for the CM’s arrival.
Meanwhile, senior MGP minister Sudin Dhavalikar in the BJP-led Goa cabinet, said, “The CM has informed the doctors that he would like to return to Goa by 15 June.”
“His team of doctors has said they will review his health on 8 June and then advise him on exactly when he might be able to come back here,” Dhavalikar added.
‘Parrikar clearing files’
Rajesh Patnekar, an MLA from Bicholim constituency in North Goa, said Parrikar is monitoring every single development in the state from the US.
“He is clearing files through emails and attending calls. The government is not headless as claimed by the Congress,” said Patnekar.
The Congress had Saturday filed a complaint alleging someone else was clearing files in the name of Parrikar as he might not be in a condition to use gadgets.
Dhavalikar, who is part of the three-member cabinet advisory committee, said Parrikar will have a hands-on approach as soon as he returns to Goa.
“He has been advising us from the United States for so long, he can definitely work more efficiently once he is back in Goa. And in any case, the cabinet advisory committee will be in existence till 30 June,” the minister said.
Party cadres waiting for Parrikar
Sources in the Goa BJP unit said that Parrikar’s return would serve as a morale booster for the party cadre given that there have been attempts by the opposition to destabilise the state government after the developments in Karnataka.
After his arrival, state BJP leaders are expected to brief Parrikar on the programmes being organised to celebrate the four years of Modi government, along with other political developments in the state.
On 18 May, taking a cue from Karnataka, the Goa Congress Legislative Party, led by Chandrakant Kavlekar, had met governor Mridula Sinha at Raj Bhavan and staked claim to form government in the state.
With inputs from Manasi Phadke.