Hindustan Surkhiyan Desk: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar died at his private residence on Sunday. He was 63. The former Defence Minister’s health, which has been fluctuating for a year, took a turn for the worse in the past two days. The condition of Parrikar turned “extremely critical” on Sunday.
A four-term chief minister and former defence minister, Parrikar had been battling a pancreatic ailment since February last year. PTI quoting its sources said Parrikar was put on life support system late Saturday night. Parrikar is survived by his two sons and their families.
His last rites will be held here on Monday evening, an official statement said.
Parrikar’s body will be kept at the Bharatiya Janata Party state headquarters here, as well as at a state government-operated arts and culture centre all through the morning and afternoon, for public to pay their final respects, before being taken to the Miramar beach for cremation at 5 p.m., according to a statement from the CMO.
In view of the sitting Chief Minister’s death, the state government has declared seven-day mourning. The state education board has also postponed the Higher Secondary School Certificate examination earlier scheduled on Monday (March 18) to March 27 in view of the state holiday.
The Central government has announced national mourning on Monday and the national flag will fly at half-mast all across the country. A state funeral will be accorded to Parrikar.
President Ram Nath Kovind expressed his grief on Parrikar’s demise.
“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,” he said in a tweet.
Other leaders, cutting across party lines, mourned his death.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Parrikar as an “unparalleled leader”, who was a “true patriot and exceptional administrator and admired by all”. Terming him as a builder of modern Goa, Modi said his tenure as a defence minister saw enhancement of India’s security capacities.
“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, tweeted Defence Minister Nirmala Sithraman.
“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…,” Union Minister Suresh Prabhu said in a tweet.
“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,” tweeted Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi tweeted, “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.”
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said he was a true fighter who worked tirelessly for the welfare of his people with a sense of duty and dignity.
National Conference vice president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah said Parrikar’s untimely demise has left a void that will be difficult to fill.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik described him as a widely respected public figure and an able administrator
Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot condoled his death and prayed for peace of the departed soul.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “Saddened at the passing away of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar ji. He patiently endured his illness. Condolences to his family and his admirers.”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed Parrikar as a “symbol of simplicity” in politics.
Parrikar, who rose from a pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to become the country’s Defence Minister and also chief minister of Goa, enjoyed a man-next-door image in the politically-volatile coastal state.
He 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.
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.
