Ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday, 16 December inspected an under-construction bridge on Mandovi River, the first time he has been seen in public since returning to the state on 14 October post hospitalisation in Delhi's AIIMS.
Ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday, 16 December inspected an under-construction bridge on Mandovi River.
(Photo: ANI)
BJP’s minister Parrikar was seen in public view after months it was communicated that he is battling cancer. The pictures shared by the minister and his office on micro-blogging platform Twitter triggered a flurry of reactions where several expressed concern over a visibly frail Parrikar.
While most appealed that the minister be allowed to rest and another leader can take charge, several pointed out Parrikar’s party’s insensitivity in letting him work under such circumstances.
Coincidentally, Parrikar made the public appearance for inspecting bridges, four days after the government submitted its reply to Bombay High Court on his health and said that mere diagnosis of Parrikar’s cancer wasn’t enough to ask him to exit office.
Arguing in the court, the state government on Wednesday, 12 December, in its submission said, "Steve Jobs was diagnosed with the same pancreatic cancer. In fact, much of his accomplishments came after his diagnosis."
"Just the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is not enough to ask the Chief Minister to resign from office," it added. Steve Jobs died in 2011 after battling pancreatic cancer.
The state also informed the High Court that the Chief Minister has been regularly holding meetings with his cabinet colleagues and senior officials and monitoring the administration.
Parrikar, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment, has been recuperating at his private residence near Panaji since 14 October and this is the first time he has moved out of the house, officials said.
A senior Chief Minister's Office functionary on Sunday said Parrikar travelled from Porvorim to Merces inspecting the bridge, the third over the Mandovi.
The bridge, which is expected to be completed next year, will connect Panaji to the rest of north Goa.
Parrikar alighted from the car at the site and discussed the progress of the work with officials of the Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation and contracting firm Larsen and Toubro, the CMO functionary said.
The opposition Congress has been alleging that Parrikar's ailment and his absence from office had brought the coastal state's administration to a standstill.
(With inputs from PTI)
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