Goa CM ​Manohar Parrikar to resign tomorrow, Laxmikant Parsekar likely to succeed him

MUMBAI | NEW DELHI: Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s scheduled shift to Delhi as Cabinet minister in the Modi government has created instability in the BJP-led state government. Intense rivalry between BJP MLAs to ascend to the CM chair has caused rebellion within party ranks and deputy CM Francis D’ Souza has even threatened to quit his post, and if sources are to be believed, split the state unit of the ruling party.

“I have not dissented, but made it clear that I am the senior-most MLA in the state unit and would not like to work under a junior. It is like downgrading yourself. Why should I report to somebody junior? I will simply remain as an MLA and not participate in government if someone else is made the CM,” D’ Souza told ET.

So far, the two most widely speculated names as successors to Parrikar were RSS-backed MLAs — assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar and health minister Lakshmikant Parsekar. While Parrikar was believed to have been inclined initially towards D’ Souza, Arlekar and Parsekar’s names gained much more weight as meetings progressed through Friday.

D’Souza claimed support from 10 MLAs for himself and implied it as a threat that he could split BJP if he doesn’t get what he wants. Sources said D’Souza has the support of at least five catholic MLAs in BJP who would join with him if he rebels. There are two independents in South Goa who are currently supporting BJP but could possibly join him if there is a chance that he could form the next government.

BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said: “There is no rebellion, there are only aspirations, no one is beyond the party and all those involved are senior leaders who have been associated with the party for a long time… There is absolutely no threat to the stability of the government in Goa.”