Panaji, March 23 (IANS) Goa's BJP legislators on Monday expressed hope that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar would become India's prime minister soon, while Opposition members accused him of spending too much time in Goa, despite holding a sensitive ministry.
The legislators were speaking during a discussion on a special motion passed in the state legislative assembly to congratulate Parrikar on his elevation as defence minister in November last year.
Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, from the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government in Goa, called Parrikar one of the greatest politicians to emerge from Goa and said that "people are looking forward to see him as prime minister".
Michael Lobo, BJP's legislator from the Calangute constituency, called Parrikar a visionary leader who "maybe one fine day will become the prime minister of the country".
The IIT-ian was elevated to the union cabinet in November last year during a cabinet expansion, the highest position ever held by a Goan politician.
While BJP members in the state assembly praised Parrikar, some among the opposition members took potshots at him for leaving behind a legacy of u-turns on key promises and spending unreasonably long spells in Goa, despite being the country's defence minister..
"Parrikar (as chief minister) had promised action against scams, and casinos. Where did all those promises go?" said Vijai Sardesai, Independent from Fatorda constituency.
He also accused the defence minister of spending inordinately long spells of time in Goa, especially during weekends, claiming Parrikar was slighting his union ministry chores.
"What is happening is weekend governance. He is creating two power centres in Goa," Sardesai said, adding that the BJP had consistently accused the Congress in Delhi of creating two power centres, namely party president Sonia Gandhi and then prime minister Manmohan Singh.
Independent lawmaker from Bicholim Naresh Sawal compared Parrikar's repeated visits to Goa and even canvassing for zilla panchayat elections to cricketers playing in the World Cup being roped in to play local tennis ball cricket tournaments.
India on Thursday said it is in touch with Russian authorities over the arrest of an alleged Isla
The most amazing match in T-20 cricket history was played on Chinnaswamy's ground. There was non-
RTPCR virus is not catching; 80% of case-a-symptomatic, CT scan results in lung infection
Corona has reached super active mode in Rajasthan. In 10 days, infection cases tripled. On Thursd
The discussion of Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's marriage is in full swing. Now the news is comin
Padma Vibhushan Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Rambhadracharya has directly challenged Saint Pre
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a brief meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lav
The Trump administration in the US has made a major change to the H-1B visa policy, increasing th
Rahul Gandhi and Owaisi's names are in Lawrence's next list! Death threat, case filed
After the murder of Baba Siddiqui, Lawrence Bishnoi's name is once again in the news in the count
My sole aim is to end corruption: Khattar
Chandigarh, March 29 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Manoha
Mumbai
Maharashtra cabinet minister and NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik has m
