Union Minister doesn't rule out return to Goa politics

Panaji : BJP's North Goa MP and Union Minister Shripad Naik on Wednesday did not rule out a return to state politics, saying that as disciplined soldiers the partymen took up any responsibility entrusted by the party.

"We are disciplined soldiers of the party. Whatever work the party gives us, we do it. The party will take a decision. After that things will move ahead," the Union Minister of State for AYUSH told the media here.

In the wake of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's prolonged illness, he said, he along with South Goa MP Narendra Savoikar, state BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar and state BJP General Secretary Sadanand Shet Tanavade will visit Delhi to meet party chief Amit Shah to resolve the leadership crisis and find an "alternate arrangement" in the absence of an ailing Parrikar.

"We will apprise them (party high command) about the situation in Goa," Naik said.

About the possibility of Parrikar stepping down, Naik said: "That is his prerogative. He has not said it yet. I do not know about it." He said that the BJP's priority was to see Parrikar healthy again.

Parrikar, earlier admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, is scheduled to leave late Wednesday evening for the US for the third time in six months for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

Naik maintained that Parrikar had suffered a "minor complication" during his treatment at the Mumbai hospital. "As per our information, he has been referred back to the US because of some minor complication. We have been told that he will be back in eight days," he said.

Asked about the alternate arrangement in the absence of Parrikar and three of his Cabinet Ministers, the BJP leader said: "Yes, there should be some arrangement. It should be done as soon as possible. The party will decide at the earliest."

The Minister said that he was aware of the negative public perception about the BJP-led government in Goa on this count.