Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar could return to his home-state Goa later this year, as per a media report.
According to Goa News, reports of Parrikar’s return to state politics have been making the rounds over the last few weeks.
The speculation became rife when Parrikar himself on Sunday hinted at his return.
“Yes, I will be back in three-four months,” Parrikar told the website in Bicholim.
The report also said that the present Defence Minister would probably take over the reins of the state as the chief minister once again.
It added that Parrikar expects a Union Cabinet reshuffle any time in next four months.
As per reports, the ongoing bickering between RSS and the ruling BJP in Goa over the issue of medium of instruction (MoI) in schools may have led to the above situation.
RSS, which has been demanding education in schools in regional languages, has opposed the state government's stand on providing grants to English medium schools.
The Bharatiya Bhasha Surkasha Manch (BBSM) has been holding agitations demanding grants only for those schools who have regional languages as MoI.
Then, there have also been allegations of non-performance by CM Laxmikant Parsekar's government.
Speaking to Indianexpress.com on the issue, Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar said that the state unit would welcome Parrikar’s return.
“If Centre permits his return, we welcome it,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai questioned the role of the BJP’s high command in Parrikar’s return.
“A leader that gets them an absolute majority is shunted to the Centre… It’s now clear that Parrikar did not become Defence Minister out of his own choice but out of compulsion,” Sardesai was quoted as saying.
He also said that the BJP leadership will owe an explanation for Parrikar’s exit, if it happens, in just about 15 months.
The term of Goa Assembly ends in March next year.
Parrikar had resigned as the Goa CM on 8th November 2014 and was inducted into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet.
Later, he had contested for Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh.
He had swept the Goa Assembly elections in 2012.
