File picture: Manohar Parrikar with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Press Trust of India)
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the man tipped to be the next Defence Minister, has assured that if he was indeed given the high profile portfolio, under him, the ministry will have a break from its scam-tainted past.
"I give you a guarantee that if I do get the Defence Ministry, I will be clean, transparent and open. On November 9, I will complete 20 years in politics, without a single stain or allegation against me," he told NDTV in an exclusive interview at his official residence in Panaji, Goa.
Mr Parrikar said that he had not been officially informed what ministry he would be allotted. However he did confirm that he got a call from BJP president Amit Shah.
"He (Amit Shah) told me to be ready as there was a possibility that I could move to the Centre," said Mr Parrikar, adding that he has never been too interested in national politics but had agreed as a disciplined party worker.
The big question however is: who will replace him?
Mr Parrikar told NDTV that Deputy Chief Minister of Goa Francis D'Souza, state Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Rajendra Arlekar were the top 3 contenders, and one of them would become the new Chief Minister.
Today, the Goa BJP has called for a Legislative party meeting where all the 21 BJP MLAs will decide their new leader.
Mr Parrikar will submit his resignation on November 7th or 8th, say sources.