The fate of 250 candidates was sealed in EVMs when Goans voted on Saturday to elect the next government. Goa had a record turnout of 83% higher than the 2012 state elections which had a turnout of 82.8%. Among the early voters were Defence Minister and former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar who casted his vote in Panaji. Unlike, previous state elections this time it’s a four-cornered fight with Maharash-trawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) making the elections more interesting than ever before. Maharash-trawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) snapped its ties with the BJP earlier in January as it was critical of the BJP state leadership particularly of current Chief Minister Lakshmikant Parsekar. Not only this rebel RSS leader Subhash Velingkar’s Goa Suraksha Manch is contesting the election in alliance with Maharash-trawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Shiv Sena against the BJP.
Lakshmikant Parsekar was appointed Chief Minister in November 2014 by the BJP when Manohar Parrikar was elevated as Defence Minister in the Centre. There is a demand from the BJP Goa unit for Manohar Parrikar to return in case it forms the government.
Recently Manohar Parrikar hinted that he misses Goan food which has increased the speculations of his return to his home state Goa in case the saffron party retains power.
Parsekar had a tough time as chief minister of the coastal state following rift with the alliance partner MGP. BJP national president Amit Shah has not ruled out the possibility of Parrikar’s return to Goa. Despite all this Parrikar’s performance as a defence minister if not stupendous can be considered stunning.
He’s trying to accelerate modernization projects started by previous governments. Examples of such are the fast development of the INS Vikrant Air craft carrier, Kalvari class submarines and INS Aridhman (India’s second nuclear ballistic submarine) after INS Arihant. The construction of Kolkata class and Visakhapatnam class stealth missile destroyers has also given boost in his tenure.
Raising the number of planned Kamorta Class anti-submarine corvettes from 4 to 12. Rapid procurement of Saryu class patrol vessels which can be armed to frigate standard to enhance India’s coastal security. India needed the best dog fighters to gain air superiority so India ordered 126 Rafales. He dropped the order to 36 and saved India Billions of dollars. Manohar Parrikar is trying to make the most of MAKE IN INDIA.
He’s trying to turn India into a weapons market by trying to popularize Indian projects like Arjun mark2 tank, Tejas, Aakash SAM, Brahmos, Talwar class stealth frigate and Pinaka missiles. Also, he doesn’t mind answering Pakistan in a language it understands; the surgical strike is example of this. Unlike his predecessors when Ministry of Defense was marred with corruption Parrikar who was known for his clean image and simplicity as Goa chief minister has carried on his legacy in New Delhi too.
The former Goa chief minister is hailed as one of the important gems in Modi’s cabinet. If party decides to send him back it would disturb the union cabinet and leave a void. He is known as an efficient, effective and ‘badass’ administrator who was handpicked by Modi himself. Manohar Parrikar has left BJP in a dilemma, unintentionally though!
There is no doubt that Manohar Parrikar is going to have a major say in the chief minister if BJP is voted to power. At that time he would have a choice to serve the nation as Defence minister or take the throne back at home. Everything will be clear after 8 March when the election results will be out. The actions must be taken as the situation as the situation would deem fit and good for nation and state both.