Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is undergoing treatment in Delhi for a pancreatic ailment.
Highlights
- Goa ministers Francis D'Souza, Pandurang Madkaikar dropped from cabinet
- Both the ministers have been ailing for sometime, admitted at hospitals
- Manohar Parrikar undergoing treatment at Delhi's AIIMS
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar dropped two ministers from his cabinet, his office said on Monday.The ministers, Francis D'Souza and Pandurang Madkaikar of the BJP, have been unwell for some time and are in hospital. Two other BJP leaders - Nilesh Cabral and Milind Naik - will replace them.
The development comes at a time when Mr Parrikar, 62, is undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment at Delhi's AIIMS.
Mr Parrikar recommended the dropping of Mr D'Souza, who was heading the urban development department, and Mr Madkaikar, who was the power minister, from the cabinet, the official in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.
Mr Madkaikar was admitted to a private hospital in Mumbai after he suffered a brain stroke in June, while Mr D'Souza is undergoing treatment at a hospital in the US.
Mr Naik and Mr Cabral will be administered the oath of office by Governor Mridula Sinha Monday evening.
Mr Naik was the power minister in the previous Laxmikant Parsekar-led cabinet, while Mr Cabral would be sworn in for the first time.
BJP president Amit Shah had said Sunday that Manohar Parrikar would continue in his post and announced that a reshuffle of the state's ministers would soon take place.
Mr Parrikar's poor health has sparked speculation over his continuation as Chief Minister of Goa, and Mr Shah recently sent a team of central party leaders to the state to speak to allies and take stock of the political situation.
The opposition Congress, which is the single-largest party in the state with 16 MLAs in the 40-member Assembly, has staked claim to form the government.
However, the BJP has asserted that its government continues to have the support of a majority of legislators.
The state is being ruled by the BJP with the support of the Goa Forward Party (GFP), the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Independent legislators.
The BJP has 14 seats in the Assembly, the GFP and the MGP have three each and the NCP has one. There are also three Independent legislators.