Manohar Parrikar is seen as a fit candidate for the job with his tech background and impeccable record
On November 9, BJP leader
Manohar Parrikar would complete 20 years in politics. And coincidentally - if all goes as per the buzz in Delhi - he could be sworn in as India's new Defence Minister the same day.
While the big move will make him one of the most powerful ministers in the Narendra Modi government, there is one thing even the corridors of power won't be able to fulfill. "Fish curry rice," says the IIT-Bombay graduate. "That's what I will miss most about Goa!"
Mr Parrikar, 58, is seen as a fit candidate for the job with his tech background and impeccable record.
Currently, Arun Jaitley holds both the Finance and Defence ministries, but sources say the Prime Minister wants his full focus on Finance ahead of his government's first Budget, to be presented next February.
To give Mr Jaitley elbow room, PM Modi has reportedly decided to appoint a separate Defence Minister and that, in all likelihood, seems to be Mr Parrikar.
The Goa Chief Minister says he has got a number of text messages and most of them are congratulatory in nature. "About 20% of them say they will miss me. But I think it goes both ways. I will go with a heavy heart," he smiles almost immediately lost in nostalgia.
But there is also one thing that he claims won't make any difference to his life. Susegad, the relaxed, laid-back Goan culture for which it is so well-known. "I am not susegad! I work 16-18 hours a day," he chuckles as the dark circles under his eyes indeed confirm the workaholic in him.
Mr Parrikar spent a day in Delhi on Wednesday meeting PM Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and others. "I came to discuss Goa issues. (PM Modi) did not say anything about that (union minister). Ask the PM," he told reporters later.
Sources close to Mr Parrikar told NDTV that if offered, the "party has asked him to accept any post given by the PM."