Goa CM Parrikar dies at 63, national mourning today

New Delhi/Panaji: Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar passed away at his home in Panaji on Sunday evening after a prolonged illness. He was 63. The Centre has announced national mourning on Monday to mark his death. Parrikar’s health had worsened over the past two days, and turned critical late Saturday night. when he was put on life support. His medical condition had fluctuated for over a year. The four-term chief minister and former defence minister was flown to the United States for treatment of his pancreatic cancer in March last year. “The chief minister died around 6.40 pm on Sunday,” a state government official said in Panaji. A widower, he is survived by his two sons and their families.

Parrikar will be accorded state funeral. The national flag will be flown at half-mast in New Delhi and the capitals of all states and Union territories on Monday. The Union Cabinet will hold a special meeting at 10 am on Monday to pay tribute.

President Ram Nath Kovind Monday expressed grief over Parrikar’s demise, saying he was an “epitome of integrity and dedication in public life”. Condoling his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a unparalleled leader, who was a true patriot and an exceptional administrator, admired by all. Mr Modi said his service to the nation will be remembered by generations. “Shri Manohar Parrikar was 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. Deeply saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Shanti,” the PM said in a tweet. Mr Modi said when

Parrikar was the defence minister, India witnessed a series of decisions that enhanced the country’s security capacities, boosted indigenous defence production and bettered the lives of ex-servicemen. The PM also posted a picture of him and Parrikar together on a social media website.

With Parrikar’s demise, the BJP-led coalition in Goa has to search for a new leader to replace him. He was heading a coalition government comprising the BJP, Goa Forward Party, MGP and Independents. His death will also necessitate a fourth byelection in Goa, where bypolls are due for the Shiroda, Mandrem and Mapusa Assembly seats on April 23. These will be held in the state along with the Lok Sabha polls.

“With CM Parrikar’s demise, the ruling coalition will have to make a fresh representation to the governor after choosing their leader. The representation will have the letter of support,” a senior Goa official said. “If the governor is not convinced, then she will have to invite the single largest party to form the government,” he said. The Congress is currently the single largest party in Goa, with 14 MLAs, while the BJP has 13 in the 40-member Goa Assembly. The Goa Forward Party, MGP and Independents have three MLAs each, while the NCP has one legislator. The strength of the House has been cut to 36 due to demise of BJP MLA Francis D’Souza earlier this year, and Parrikar on Sunday, and the resignations of two Congress MLAs, Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte, last year. After the news of Parrikar’s death broke, the coalition partners have called emergency meetings.

Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi also condoled the demise of Parrikar and described him as “one of Goa’s favourite sons”. He wrote on Twitter: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Goa CM Shri Manohar Parrikar Ji, who bravely battled a debilitating illness for over a year. Respected and admired across party lines, he was one of Goa’s favourite sons. My condolences to his family in this time of grief.”

BJP president Amit Shah said the nation had lost a true patriot in Parrikar’s death. Mr Shah said Parrikar showed how a BJP worker “even during his toughest time, is committed to the philosophy of ‘Nation First, Party Next and Self Last’.” Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman also condoled his demise and said his contribution in making the armed forces a lean and mean fighting machine will remain unparalleled.

Born on December 13, 1955 into a middle class family, his political career began as an RSS pracharak and he continued working for the Sangh even after graduating from IIT-Bombay as a metallurgical engineer. He was the first IIT graduate to become a chief minister.

Parrikar entered electoral politics in 1994 when he won on a BJP ticket from Panaji constituency. He was the defence minister from November 2014 to March 2017 during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.