Parrikar Resigns as Defence Min, To Take Oath as Goa CM on Tuesday

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Manohar Parrikar resigned as the Defence Minister of India and will be taking oath as the Goa Chief Minister at 5 pm on 14 March.

Goa Governor Mridula Sinha on Sunday appointed Parrikar as the new Chief Minister of Goa. It is still not clear who will be replacing him as the Defence Minister of India.

Parrikar has been asked to prove majority on the floor of the Goa Legislative Assembly within "15 days after administration of oath of office and secrecy", stated a letter issued by Secretary to the Governor Rupesh Kumar Thakur.

The letter said that Parrikar had submitted evidence of support of 21 MLAs before the Governor.

Also Read: BJP Stakes Claim to Form Government in Goa With 21 Seats

Parrikar is not yet a member of the legislative assembly, and hence, has to contest a poll in the next six months. Media reports suggested that he may contest the bypoll from Mapusa seat, which was held by former Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza.

Also Read: Parrikar Appointed as Goa CM by Governor, Asked to Prove Majority

MGP leader Sudin Dhavlikar is all set to be the new Deputy Chief Minister succeeding Francis D'souza.

MGP, which bagged three seats, had extended its support on the condition that Parrikar be the Chief Minister, Firstpost reported.