Pramesh Jain
Highlights.
.Manohar Parrikar: IIT grad to Defence Minister of India
.Manohar Parrikar: BJP’s saviour in Goa
.Manohar Parrikar died at his son’s home in Panaji today at the age of 63
.The four-time Goa chief minister had been battling pancreatic cancer
.His health had been fluctuating for several days and worsened Saturday.
.10:30 AM: His mortal remains to be taken to Kala Academy, Panjim.
.11:00 AM to 04:00 PM: Public to pay their final respects to Manohar Parrikar.
.04:00 PM: Funeral procession of Manohar Parrikar to SAG grounds, Campal.
.04:30 PM: Vidhi at SAG grounds, Campal.
.05:00 PM: Antim Kriya of Manohar Parrikar
“Several leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nitin Gadkari, Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh will be in Goa on Monday to attend Manohar Parrikar’s last rites.”
Manohar Parrikar (1955-2019)
In a video clip from an alumni day function at IIT Bombay in 2014, the four-time Goa Chief Minister and former Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar — who passed away on Sunday evening after a prolonged illness — is described as the “original Aam Aadmi”.Dressed in his trademark half-sleeved shirt and floaters, Mr. Parrikar had an image of an accessible yet go-getter politician.
Manohar Parrikar, Goa Chief Minister and former defence minister, has passed away at the age of 63 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. The health of Parrikar, a technocrat-turned-politician and BJP stalwart, took a turn for the worse in the past two days after his medical condition fluctuated for over a year. The four-term chief minister was flown to the US for treatment in March last year.
Parrikar was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in February 2018 and had been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New York since. From an RSS pracharak to a Union Minister, the technocrat-turned politician was known for his administrative acumen and clean image, which left an indelible mark on the politics of the tiny state.The chief minister died around 6.40 pm on Sunday,a senior state government official told media persons.
Sources said Parrikar was put on life support system late Saturday night.A widower,Parrikar is survived by his two sons and their familiesThe announcement was made in a tweet by President Ram Nath Kovind, condolence messages poured in from political leaders across the board.
“Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa, after an illness borne with fortitude and dignity. An epitome of integrity and dedication in public life, his service to the people of Goa and of India will not be forgotten,” President Kovind tweeted.
Later, Mr Parrikar’s office had said, “Manohar Parrikar passed away today evening, after a spirited battle against cancer”. His funeral will be held on Monday with a procession starting at 4 pm and people will be able to pay their last respects to the leader before that at the Kala Academy, it added.
The central government has announced a day’s national mourning on Monday, during which all schools and colleges in Goa would be shut.
Mr Parrikar’s health had been fluctuating for several days and worsened on Saturday morning. The former Defence Minister had been in and out of hospitalin Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New York since February last year. Last month, he was admitted in the Goa Medical College and Hospital near Panaji.
In January, the four-time chief minister had said he would “serve Goa till my last breath”. His partymen acknowledged him as their leader even this morning in face of Congress attempts to dislodge the government and accusations that the party has fallen below halfway mark in the state assembly.Over the recent months, Manohar Parrikar had made public appearances with a tube in his nose, looking frail. He had turned up at the state assembly to present the budget, triggering Congress allegations that the BJP was parading him around despite his condition to save its government in the state.After his death was announced this evening, political leaders from across party lines expressed their grief.
Several top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nitin Gadkari, Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh will be in Goa on Monday to attend Manohar Parrikar’s last rites. Condolences poured in for Mr Parrikar after the news of his death with President Ram Nath Kovind, BJP chief Amit Shah and Congress’ Rahul Gandhi among the first ones to pay their respects. In a tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind said, “Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Manohar Parrikar, chief minister of Goa, after an illness borne with fortitude and dignity.”An epitome of integrity and dedication in public life, his service to the people of Goa and India will not be forgotten,” the President tweeted from his official handle.
Modi condoled the death of Parrikar, hailing him as an “unparalleled leader”.
“Shri Manohar Parrikar was an unparalleled leader. A true patriot and exceptional administrator, he was admired by all. His impeccable service to the nation will be remembered by generations. Deeply saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” Modi said in one of several tweets.”Shri Manohar Parrikar was the builder of modern Goa. Thanks to his affable personality and accessible nature, he remained the preferred leader of the state for years. His pro-people policies ensured Goa scales remarkable heights of progress.”India will be eternally grateful to Shri Manohar Parrikar for his tenure as our Defence Minister. When he was RM, India witnessed a series of decisions that enhanced India’s security capacities, boosted indigenous defence production and bettered the lives of ex-servicemen,” Modi said.
Vice President Of India Venkaiah Naidu tweeted,In his passing, the nation in general and Goa in particular lost its proud son.My heartfelt condolences to the members of his bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.#Parrikar
BJP chief Amit Shah tweeted:BJP president Amit Shah wrote on Twitter, “Manohar Parrikar ji’s demise is extremely painful. In him, the nation has lost a true patriot who selflessly dedicated his entire life to the country and ideology. Parrikar jis commitment towards his people and duties was exemplary.
Central Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted,Deeply saddened and pained by the demise of my dear friend & Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Manohar Parrikar. He was known for his honesty, integrity and simplicity. He served the nation and the state of Goa with great diligence. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.
Goa BJP government was formed because of him. He also became defence minister. Again on party’s request, he became the Goa Chief Minister,” said Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Manohar Parrikar’s long-time friend and party colleague.
Extremely saddened by the untimely demise of my good friend Manohar Parrikar ji. An epitome of impeccable integrity, a down to earth personality, the first IITian to become CM of a state, great son of India gone too soon… RIP my dear friend.An epitome of impeccable integrity, a down to earth personality, the first IITian to become CM of a state, great son of India gone too soon,” Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu tweets.
Shri Manohar Parrikar is no more. A sincere, honest & sensitive political activist. Was simple and down to earth, I learnt a lot from Shri.Parrikar. As Raksha Mantri his contribution to making the armed forces a modernised, lean & mean fighting machine will remain unparalleled.Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweets.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis hailed Parrikar as a true son of Goa, who served India in many roles and responsibilities! No doubt Shri Manohar Parrikar will be remembered as one of best Defence Ministers of India. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and people of Goa & India. Om Shanti.
Chief Minister of karnataka HD Kumaraswamy tweeted,Extremely saddened to hear of the passing away of the Chief Minister of Goa Shri #ManoharParrikar.He was respected by all across political lines. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.
Extremely saddened at the news of passing away of Goa CM Sh Manohar Parrikar ji. A symbol of simplicity in politics who led a humble life is no longer with us. May his family bear the irreparable loss with courage. Prayers with them.Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Goa CM, Shri Manohar Parrikar Ji, who bravely battled a debilitating illness for over a year. Respected and admired across party lines, he was one of Goa’s favourite sons. My condolences to his family in this time of grief,” Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed her condolence to the family of Manohar Parrikar.My condolences to the bereaved family of Shri. Manohar Parrikar. I met him only once, when he graciously visited my mother at the hospital two years ago. May his soul rest in peace.
Parrikar was a leader who enjoyed acceptance from all sections of the BJP and beyond. He played a key role in making the BJP a force to reckon with in Goa, which remained for long a Congress bastion, with regional outfits having pockets of influence.
Despite his falling health, Parrikar had presented two state budgets in 2018 and 2019 and had attended public functions, including the inauguration of an iconic bridge across River Mandovi.
A known fighter, an ailing Parrikar’s decision to go for a ride and inspect two upcoming bridges in the state with a feeder tube protruding from one nostril was a defining image and sought to suggest that he was still in-charge of the state.
Several political leaders, including Union AYUSH minister and Goa MP Shripad Naik, assembly speaker Pramod Sawant and Lok Sabha MP Narendra Sawaikar, reached Parrikar’s private residence in Dona Paula after the news of his demise broke.
His party, however, once again staked claim to form the government in the state, saying that the BJP was in minority. The BJP-led coalition, meanwhile, called a meeting late on Sunday to find his successor,Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was expected to arrive in the state after midnight to hold talks with allies too.
Born on December 13, 1955 into a middle-class family, his political career began as an RSS pracharak and he continued working for the Sangh even after graduating from IIT-Bombay as a metallurgical engineer.
Parrikar entered electoral politics in 1994 when he won on a BJP ticket from Panaji constituency.
He was the defence minister from November 2014 to March 2017 during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mr. Parrikar’s political trajectory runs parallel with the rise of the BJP in Goa. He was born in 1955 in Mapusa, in then Portugese-ruled Goa. It was only after Goa’s liberation in 1962 where the right wing politicians played pivotal role that the RSS took root in the State.
In the 1970s, the teenage Parrikar joined the RSS. After completing a degree in metallurgical engineering from IIT Bombay, he resumed working with the organisation. At just 26, he was Sanghchalak of Mapusa. It was the RSS that pushed Mr. Parrikar to the BJP to counter Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party.
Mr. Parrikar’s sangfroid self often hid the astute politician he was. In 1994, for the first time, the BJP sent four legislators to the Goa Assembly. Mr. Parrikar was one of them along with the current Union Minister Shripad Naik. The parallel run of Mr Parrikar and Mr Naik ended here. Mr. Parrikar soon outstripped Mr. Naik, who was the BJP State President from 1990 to 1999, to become the first BJP CM of Goa in 2000. Mr. Naik left State politics to become the first BJP MP from the State in 1999.
“Together with Mr. Parrikar, we built RSS and BJP from ground up. We built its cadre from booth level and would knock on each and every door propagating the BJP’s ideology,” said a senior BJP Leader.
Mr. Parrikar also has the distinction of helming the 2016 cross border surgical strike. Lt. General D.S. Hooda, who was the chief of the Army’s Northern Command at the time of the strike, describes Mr. Parrikar as sharp and decisive. “I found him very sharp and quick in grasping the problems. He was equally empathetic towards a soldier’s requirements. Often he would request us to let him speak directly to the soldiers, have a cup of tea with them to discuss their needs and requirements,” Mr. Hooda said. The other army officers, however, claim that he rarely got support from the bureaucracy as many of his promises fell through.
Mr. Parrikar also played a critical behind-the-scenes role in the 2013 Goa National Executive meeting of the BJP, which saw the announcement of then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 elections.
On Saturday, the Congress staked claim to form the government in the state, the BJP’s ally, Goa Forward Party (GPF), is trying to mount pressure, saying it will rethink about its support in case of “any eventuality”.
Goa BJP’s core committee members had met on Saturday to discuss the overall political situation arising out of the deteriorating health of the former defence minister, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment. The BJP state leadership, led by Goa chief and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, reportedly discussed the political situation after the GFP’s indirect remarks on the alliance. They also discussed the party’s preparations for the Lok Sabha elections 2019.
The strength of Goa Assembly has reduced from 40 to 37 after the death of D’Souza and resignation of two MLAs — Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte. Now the Congress is left with 14 legislators, while BJP with 13. The BJP also has the support of three MLAs of GFP and MGP and two MLAs, including one from NCP and an independent.
10:30 AM: His mortal remains to be taken to Kala Academy, Panjim.
11:00 AM to 04:00 PM: Public to pay their final respects to Manohar Parrikar.
04:00 PM: Funeral procession of Manohar Parrikar to SAG grounds, Campal.
04:30 PM: Vidhi at SAG grounds, Campal.
05:00 PM: Antim Kriya of Manohar Parrikar
