Did PMO use IB to influence MGP? Manohar Parrikar says he isn't aware

PANAJI: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said he was not aware of media reports that claimed the Prime Minister's Office was trying to influence the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) regarding the state alliance.

"There are four variables. I am not aware. I am not aware of any of the four variables... the PMO is a variable which is not in my control. The fourth is IB. All four are not in contact with me. So I do not know," Parrikar said.

He was asked to comment on Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party leader Deepak Dhavalikar's claim that Intelligence Bureau officials had met him recently with a brief from the Prime Minister's Office.

Dhavalikar was one of the two MGP ministers unceremoniously dropped from the state Cabinet late on Monday.

The Congress on Monday alleged that government agencies like the Intelligence Bureau were being misused by the central and state governments to pressurise the MGP leaders to stay put with the ruling alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.