Congress deprived Goa of Cabinet berth: Manohar Parrikar

PANAJI: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday accused Congress of depriving the state of its due representation in the union cabinet.

"Congress has failed to give cabinet berth to Goa in its tenure. When BJP comes to power, we will have ministerial berth for the state," Parrikar said.

Asserting that BJP will form government in Delhi after Lok Sabha elections in 2014, Parrikar told PTI that at least one of BJP MPs from the state would be awarded cabinet berth in the new government.

BJP has already informally announced candidature of Shripad Naik in North and Narendra Sawaikar in South Goa constituency for the general elections.

"The formal announcements on the candidature would be made later after party's parliamentary committee clears the names," the chief minister told reporters at Porvorim while announcing the schedule for civic reception to MP Shripad Naik slated to be held on October 18.

Party's national leader Venkaiah Naidu would be the chief guest for the function to be held here.

Naik had served as civil aviation minister of state under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.