Goa CM Manohar Parrikar funeral highlights: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar passes away at 63. (Express photo by Smita Nair)
Goa CM Manohar Parrikar funeral highlights: Four-time Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar was laid to rest at Miramar Beach on Monday next to the memorial of the state’s first CM Dayanand Bandodkar. Manohar Parrikar was accorded state funeral with full military honours at Miramar. Meanwhile, BJP and its allies in Goa are yet to come up with a name for the next chief minister of the state.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said while the Goa unit of BJP had decided who should be the next chief minister, the issue was only with alliance partners. Speaker Pramod Sawant and BJP leader Vishwajit Rane are the CM post frontrunners. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Central ministers reached Goa to pay their last tributes to former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
The Congress, meanwhile, reached Governor Mridula Sinha staking claim to the government. All the 14 Congress MLAs, led by Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, handed over a letter to Sinha, saying it was the single largest party in the Assembly and should be allowed to form the government.
Goa CM Manohar Parrikar passed away Sunday evening. (PTI photo)
A file photo of Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant with CM Manohar Parrikar. Sawant is expected to succeed Parrikar as the chief minister of the state after the latter passed away on Sunday. (Source: PTI Photo/File)
Four-time chief minister of Goa and former Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has been laid to rest at Miramar beach next to the memorial of the state's first CM Dayanand Bandodkar. Manohar Parrikar was accorded state funeral with full military honours at Miramar.
The final rites of Manohar Parrikar are being performed in Miramar Beach in Goa in the presence of family members, top leaders and thousands of followers. Parrikar is being accorded a state funeral. Among the leaders lined up to place wreaths on Parrikar are Vijai Sardesai, Congress leader Girish Chodonkar, MPs Narendra Sawaikar and Shripad Naik, Ramdas Athawale, Suresh Prabhu, NSA Ajit Doval and BJP chief Amit Shah.
Former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar's mortal remains have reached Miramar beach. Last rites are currently taking place in presence of family and top BJP leaders, including BJP chief Amit Shah, and thousands of followers. Goa Cabinet ministers lay wreath on Manohar Parrikar.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who held a round of talks with BJP leaders and alliance partner Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) to discuss Manohar Parrikar’s successor in Goa, said the party was decided on their candidate for the next CM. "I am in Goa till 6 pm and it would be better if we zero down to the consensus before that. BJP Goa has decided who should be their leader, the issue is only with alliance partners," says Gadkari.
Thousands of people from various walks of life have joined the funeral procession of Manohar Parrikar. His last rites will be performed at Miramar beach shortly. BJP president Amit Shah and several chief ministers of BJP-ruled states have arrived at Miramar.
Amid speculation that Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant will be declared the new chief minister, party workers from Sanquelim constituency have already reached the Raj Bhawan. Sawant is a two-time MLA from Sanquelim. Sawant is known to be from the cadre and is seen as someone who had “ear of the chief minister”.
Manohar Parrikar's unobvious and independent style, backed by swift decision-making, defined his political journey — beginning with Subhash Velingkar, his mentor and RSS guru, handpicking him as the future face of the BJP in Goa. Read Manohar Parrikar's full obituary
A four-time chief minister, Manohar Parrikar enjoyed widespread popularity across Goa. The affection he enjoyed from ordinary Goans was on display as hundreds of common folks, and his party workers lined up to pay tribute to Manohar Parrikar. The area around the BJP office was packed with people who arrived there to pay tributes to Parrikar before his final journey.
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The funeral procession of Manohar Parrikar to Miramar has started. The final rites of Parrikar will be performed at 5 pm at the Miramar beach next to the memorial of Goa’s first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar. Manohar Parrikar, 63, will be accorded state funeral with full military honours at Miramar.
The Haryana government on Monday declared a one-day state mourning as a mark of respect for Manohar Parrikar. "The state government has decided to observe a one-day state mourning as a mark of respect to the departed dignitary. The national flag will fly at half-mast on March 18," an order issued by Haryana Chief Secretary's office said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left Goa after paying tribute to Manohar Parrikar. BJP chief Amit Shah has arrived at the Goa airport and is headed for the funeral site.
Preparations are in progress at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) for a condolence meeting to pay tribute to Manohar Parrikar, who was an alumnus of the institute. The meeting will be held at 5 pm at the institute’s P C Saxena auditorium. (Photo by Amit Chakravarty)
The Goa Forward Party, an alliance partner in the state's BJP-led government, Monday said a stalemate persisted on the selection of the next chief minister following the death of Manohar Parrikar, PTI reported. The GFP and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party's three MLAs each, an equal number of Independents, and BJP legislators have been meeting since late Sunday night to reach a consensus on Parrikar's successor. "The stalemate over the issue (next CM) continues," GFP chief Vijai Sardesai said. He said he, along with other coalition partners, had raised certain apprehensions with Gadkari but was yet to get answers on them from the BJP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar. (Express photo)
Thousands of citizens and party workers of the BJP arrived at Kala Academy in Panjim to pay their final tributes to Parrikar. A six-time MLA representing the state capital, Parrikar never lost an election in his constituency. During his first term as chief minister in the early 2000s, Parrikar focussed on developing infrastructure in the city keeping in mind internation events that he later introduced to the state.
The battle over who will be the next chief minister of the state continues even as Raj Bhawan gears up for a swearing in ceremony. While BJP Goa chief Vinay Tendulkar claims all is well with the allies - MGP and GFP - the allies say there is no consensus on a CM candidate and any such talk was premature.
Sources in the BJP have said that Nitin Gadkari gave the allies a clear choice - either agree to a CM candidate from the BJP or face President's Rule. We will have to wait and watch what happens next.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Congress party leaders observed a two-minute silence at a public rally in Karnataka's Kalaburagi, to pay last respects to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who passed away Sunday night.
Union Ministers Suresh Prabhu and Smriti Irani also arrived at Kala Academy, to pay their final tributes to Parrikar. The two arrived soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Kala Academy to pay homage to Manohar Parrikar. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
PM Modi, Nirmala Sitharaman have arrived in Goa. They will shortly reach Kala Academy to pay homage to Goa CM Manohar Parrikar. The main area has been cordoned off.
The Wikipedia page of Pramod Sawant has already been edited, calling him the Goa chief minister. "The Chief Minister who succeeded ex-CM Manohar Parikkar, Dr. Pramod Sawant was born on 24 April 1973 to Pandurang and Padmini Sawant," his page read
The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), an ally of the ruling BJP in Goa, said its executive committee would take a call on whether to continue support to the state government. MGP leaders met Nitin Gadkari for the second time to discuss succession plans in the state. MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar had yesterday expressed his wish to become the next chief minister of Goa.
Today, however, he rejected the idea that he was in the race for the top post. "The MGP would hold its executive committee meeting later in the day to decide whether to continue its support to the BJP-led government or not," he told PTI.
As per sources, when asked if the new CM will be declared at 3 pm, Dhavalikar said that no name has been finalised.
Speaker Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane have emerged as frontrunners for Goa CM’s post. PTI reports that the BJP will decide on a name by 2 pm and the swearing-in is likely after 3 pm.
While Sawant is known to be from the cadre and having seen as someone who had “ear of the chief minister”, and someone who was groomed by Parrikar himself, Rane is winning round one, after reports emerged that he has the support of Goa Forward and independent MLAs. Read more
Even as the hunt for new CM continues in Goa, a delegation of Congress has reached the Raj Bhavan to stake claim to the government, the third time in three days. Claiming that the Congress is the "single-largest party" in Goa, the party asked Governor Mridula Sinha to "dismiss the ruling BJP." "We do not have an appointment, because she is refusing to give us time. But despite that, we have arrived here to meet the Governor to stake our claim. It is our right as a single largest party in the Goa assembly," Goa Congress chief Chandrakant Kavlekar said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal, BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya and others to reach Kala Academy to pay homage to to Manohar Parrikar
Manohar Parrikar's mortal remains have now reached Kala Academy, around three km from the BJP office. The general public will be allowed to pay their tribute to him. Priests have started chanting hymns. Also heard in the background is the devotional song - “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” The police have also put up temple style barricades near the area in order to control the crowd.
As per a report in PTI, BJP MLA Vishwajit Rane, MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar, who are aspirants for the chief minister's post, attended the meeting. A third contender, Pramod Sawant, who is currently the speaker, was not present. Leaders of the GFP were not called for the meeting. Dhavalikar said clarity on the leadership issue was expected by 3 pm.
Manohar Parrikar's death has triggered a political tussle in Goa. Both the BJP (the ruling govt) and the Congress (single largest party) are keen to form the government in the state. Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who held an overnight meeting with BJP MLAs and alliance leaders, has begun the round two of talks, reported news agency PTI. Gadkari is currently talking with BJP MLAs and MGP leaders to select new Goa chief minister. The overnight meeting concluded in a deadlock after the leaders could not reach a consensus.
Here is how the numbers are placed in Goa assembly
Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, today condoled the passing away of Manohar Parrikar. After observing two minutes of silence, the Cabinet approved one-day national mourning across the country in the memory of the leader.
The resolution passed by the Cabinet read, "In his passing away, the country has lost a veteran and distinguished leader, affectionately called as the Chief Minister of commoners. Shri Parrikar will be remembered for his simplicity and his abilities as an exceptional administrator. His contribution to the building of modern Goa and to the modernization of India's Armed Forces as well as improvement to the lives of ex.-Servicemen will never be forgotten. The Cabinet extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the people of Goa on behalf of the Government and the entire nation."
Manohar Parrikar's teacher Suresh Amonkar, a cancer survivor himself reached BJP office to pay tribute to the departed soul. "He is a young boy to me. I am 84 he is 63. I too went through 20 chemos and a cancer survivor. He was my most brilliant student. He always kept touch and enquired. Since last year he was not accessible. I feel sad today," he added.
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) will hold condolence meet on Monday evening to pay tribute to their alumnus, Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who died after a long illness. The meeting will be held at 5 pm at the institute's P C Saxena auditorium here, an IIT-B spokesperson said.
In 2017, he addressed the 55th convocation of the Mumbai-based institute where he told the graduates to take up jobs in social and development sectors. An alumnus of the famed institute, he also asked students to join politics and the Army, said a former IIT-B student who was present at the convocation ceremony. "Why can't IIT graduates, who have had the best engineering education in the country, take up academics and run some of these colleges, and transform their quality?" Parrikar had then said.
The institute in its condolence message said Parrikar's demise came as a shock to them. "He was the institute's distinguished alumnus and keenly involved with many initiatives at IIT Bombay. He was also deeply involved with the launch of IIT Goa," it said. On the Alumni Day in 2014, IIT-B felicitated Parrikar, who graduated in metallurgical engineering from the institute in 1978, in recognition of his contribution to the development of the country. (PTI)
PM Modi will be among the BJP leaders who will pay their last respects to the former defence minister today. Modi will be leaving for Delhi shortly.
At the BJP headquarters in Goa, party observer B L Santosh was the first to lay the wreath. Vinay Tendulkar, state party president, Speaker Pramod Sawant followed next. Santosh, along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari held an overnight meeting with the BJP MLAs and alliance leaders to discuss succession plans in the state
Manohar Parrikar's sons - Utpal Parrikar (front) and Abhijat Parrikar (at back) - seen at the BJP headquarters in Panjim. Parrikar is survived by two sons and their families.
Manohar Parrikar who died after a prolonged illness will be accorded a state funeral today.
From BJP’s side — the MLAs are looking at two candidates — Speaker Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane. While Sawant is known to be from the cadre and having seen as someone who had “ear of the chief minister”, and someone who was groomed by Parrikar himself, Rane is winning round one, after reports emerged that he has the support of Goa Forward and independent MLAs.
During a meeting with Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Gomantak Party leader Sudin Dhavlikar had expressed his wish to become the next chief minister of Goa. Vinay Tendulkar, state party president and Shripad Naik are the other names doing the rounds. Read more
Manohar Parrikar's mortal remains will be brought to the BJP office in Panaji shortly. They will be kept here for an hour before being taken to the Kala Academy to allow people to pay their last respects before his final journey. In the picture, preparations underway at the BJP headquarters in Panaji
Tributes poured in from all quarters after President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday announced that Goa Chief Minister and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar passed away after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. President Ram Nath Kovind’s condolence message, which was the first official confirmation about his death, described Parrikar as the “epitome of integrity and dedication in public life” while Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “an unparalleled leader, a true patriot and exceptional administrator."
"Parrikar ji has shown the entire nation how a BJP Karyakarta, even during his toughest time, is committed to the philosophy of Nation First, Party Next and Self Last," BJP chief Amit Shah wrote, calling Parrikar a "true patriot who selflessly dedicated his entire life to the country and ideology." Union minister Nitin Gadkari, considered to be close to Parrikar, posted on Twitter: “I am speechless. Today, we have lost a person who always practised gentle and simple politics. My brother Manohar was truly the leader of every worker’s heart.”
Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who recently visited Parrikar in Panaji, said 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 (sic).”
Seven-Day mourning has been declared in Goa, following the demise of one of its tallest leaders Manohar Parrikar. All the state government offices, local autonomous bodies, public sector undertakings, all educational institutions including aided institutions shall remain closed on March 18. High Court of Bombay at Goa and District Courts in the state will also remain shut today
The Union Cabinet will meet at 10 am today to condole the demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. A two-minute would be observed in his memory and a resolution would also be passed hailing Parrikar's contribution as a public figure, official sources said.
The strength of the Goa Assembly is 40. Till yesterday it was 37 after the death of BJP MLA Francis D'Souza and resignation of two MLAs -- Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte. After Parrikar's death, the strength is now reduced to 36.
The Congress is currently the single-largest party in the state with 14 MLAs in the 40-member House. The BJP has 12 legislators and its government is supported by three MLAs each of the Goa Forward Party and Maharashtra Gomantak Party, and three Independents. There is also a NCP MLA in the assembly. All the alliance partners had been clear for long that they would support only a government led by Parrikar.
In a boost to Congress, one of the BJP's MLA Pandurang Madkaikar is in the hospital and is unlikely to be able to come to the Assembly for a possible vote. This is the reason the Congress has been saying it has 14 MLAs to the BJP’s 11. Another BJP MLA, Speaker Sawant, has only a casting vote.
Vinay Tendulkar, state party president — also a CM hopeful — said: “Decision will happen today morning. We will be giving a letter to the Governor. We do not have CM (Manohar Parrikar). We will have to visit his mortal remains. Then his body will be taken to party office and then a decision will be taken. There is no problem about chief ministership. Other problems will be resolved by 10 am. We will go to governor after body is brought to BJP office,” he stressed
Till today morning, there is no clarity on what transpired in the BJP meeting helmed by Nitin Gadkari. While not everyone disclosed the details of the meeting inside, Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo told the waiting press that Maharashtra Gomantak Party leader Sudin Dhavlikar had expressed his wish to become the next chief minister of Goa. “He said he has sacrificed many times by supporting the BJP. So he wants to become the chief minister, but BJP will not agree to that. That has to be worked out,” added Lobo.
The four-time Goa CM and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar will be accorded a state funeral today. Following his demise, the centre announced national mourning on Monday, declaring that the National Flag will fly at half-mast across the country. A seven-day mourning period has been announced in Goa.
An official release from the CMO said his mortal remains will be kept at the BJP head office in Panaji for an hour from 9.30 am, after which they will be taken to Kala Academy for people to pay their last respects. The funeral procession to Miramar will start at 4 pm, and the Antim Kriya will be performed at 5 pm.
Within hours of Manohar Parrikar’s demise, two meetings in separate settings began in the state where weeks of political uncertainty had just entered its widely anticipated final phase.
Their government’s future uncertain, BJP MLAs huddled in a hotel in the state capital, awaiting the arrival of Nitin Gadkari. Gadkari spoke to all the alliance partners and BJP MLAs, but the deadlock continues. The first round— there will be more— ended early hours of morning around 5 am, with every MLA emerging out after having expressed their options to Gadkari and party observer BL Santosh.
Welcome to The Indian Express' blog. Following Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's death, Goa is left in a political turmoil. Both the BJP and Congress are keen to form a government in the state. While the Congress claims BJP has no numbers in the assembly now, the saffron party is in talks with its MLAs and alliance partners. Follow this space to track latest developments