Parrikar back to Goa politics post Cabinet reshuffle? BJP says will welcome him

“Yes, I will be back in three-four months,” Parrikar told Goa News when asked whether he was contemplating returning to state politics.

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There have been suggestions of a cabinet reshuffle once the elections results are in on May 19.

Faced with an uphill task of incumbency as well allegations of a non-performing government headed by CM Laxmikant Parsekar, the BJP is hopeful Parrikar’s return will rejuvenate party workers ahead of the polls.

When asked by reporters if Parrikar was indeed needed to help the party ahead of the polls, Parsekar shot back:  “You ask this to Parrikar. He has made the statement, how can I reply?”

Speaking to Indianexpress.com, Goa BJP President Vinay Tendulkar said the state unit would welcome Parrikar’s return ahead of the polls.

“If Centre permits his return, we welcome it,” Tendulkar said, refusing to accept that the Parsekar government was performing below par thereby warranting Parrikar’s return.

Interestingly, at a recent event in the national capital, Parrikar, when asked to comment on reports of his return, is reported to have said: “As Chief Minister you are the King of Goa, while as Defence Minister, you are a Prince of a department.”

Independent MLA and a vocal voice in the state Assembly Vijai Sardesai questioned the role of the BJP’s high command in Parrikar’s return saying it was indicative that the BJP is soon losing ground in the state. When asked what he attributed the loss to, Sardesai said “the various U-turns of the state government — for which Parrikar is party responsible — as well as Parsekar’s failure as CM. One thing is very clear, they seem to be reading the writing on the wall.”

“A leader that gets them an absolute majority is shunted to the Centre… It’s now clear that Parrikar did not become Defence Minister out of his own choice but out of compulsion,” Sardesai said, adding that the BJP leadership will owe an explanation for Parrikar’s exit — if at all — in just about 15 months.

This, however, is not the first time that Parrikar has hinted at a possible return to state politics. While he has had no qualms about making known his inability to adjust to living in the national capital, Parrikar had only last month said “all options need to be kept permanently open.”

Sweeping the Goa Assembly elections in 2012, Parrikar, a three-time Goa CM, was asked to join the Narendra Modi Cabinet in November 2014. He was then elected Rajya Sabha MP from Lucknow.

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