Goa BJP leader claims Manohar Parrikar will return next month

(Photo: Twitter/@manoharparrikar)


Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is undergoing treatment in the United States may return to India next month.

A senior BJP leader told news agency PTI on Sunday that Parrikar “is responding positively to the treatment in the US” and will be “coming back to India in the second week of April”.

The leader, who has not been named by PTI, reiterated that the former defence minister would remain under treatment for another fortnight.

The 62-year-old left for the the United States on 6 March from Mumbai, where he was undergoing treatment at the Lilavati Hospital for a pancreatic ailment.

Parrikar has not been well since 14 February. He was admitted to the state-run Goa Medical College (GMC) after he complained of stomach pain.

Read More: No surgery advised for Goa CM Parrikar

He was taken to the Lilavati Hospital for further treatment where he spent around a week before returning to Goa just before the presentation of the state budget on 21 February.

After a few days, he was again admitted again to Lilavati on 5 March before his departure to the US.

Before he left, Parrikar formed a team of three ministers from the three parties that are part of the alliance government in the state to function as a Cabinet advisory committee. The team includes Sudin Dhavalikar (Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party), Francis D Souza (BJP) and Vijai Sardesai (Goa Forward Party).

On Saturday, the Goa BJP ruled out a change in leadership in the state due to Parrikar’s absence.

(With PTI inputs.)