The selection of successor to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, tipped to take over as Defence Minister, may not be as smooth as expected as Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar joined the race on Friday.
Till Thursday evening, Rajendra Arlekar, Speaker, Goa Legislative Assembly, looked to be the front-runner.
To add to the party’s troubles, the supporters of Deputy Chief Minister Francisco D’Souza, including some of the ruling party MLAs, have conveyed their displeasure to the party for completely sidelining Mr. D’Souza from the race for Chief Ministership.
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Mr. D’Souza, who was in the U.K., is slated to arrive in Goa on Friday evening. Sources close to him said that his supporters have been pressing him not to join the new Cabinet if he is not made the Chief Minister. He could not be reached for his comment.
Party sources, however, indicated that attempts would be made to placate him by offering him Speaker post in case he did not find it appropriate to carry on as Deputy Chief Minister.
The supporters of Mr. Parsekar have raised the issue of disproportionate asset case against Mr. Arlekar presently before a Special Court.
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While party sources indicated that Mr. Arlekar's name was cleared by BJP Delhi, the RSS think-tank in Goa is divided over the issue between Mr. Arlekar and Mr. Parsekar.
Mr. Parrikar said that names of the probable successor will be shortlisted at the meeting of the BJP legislative party and other party leaders and the same will be forwarded to Parliamentary Board scheduled to meet on Saturday morning to take the final decision.