Laxmikant Parsekar to be next Goa CM

Putting an end to all speculations, Goa Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar was on Saturday elected as the new chief minister of the state.

A decision in this regard came after the BJP legislative meeting here, where all the MLAs unanimously decided to select Parsekar for the top post.

BJP general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy after the meeting told mediapersons that Parsekar's name was proposed by outgoing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and seconded by Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza.

"The legislature party meeting of the BJP MLAs was held in Goa today. There was a long consultation with all of them. There was a complete unanimity as far as the choice of the legislature party is concerned. The name of Laxmikant Parsekar was proposed by Parrikar and seconded by Francis D'Souza," Rudy said.

"We have communicated this to the central leadership. Amit Shah has been intimated. The swearing-in will take place shortly. The new Cabinet will comprise of 10 ministers, including the Chief Minister," he added.

Meanwhile, Parsekar expressed his delight to be unanimously elected for the Chief Minister's post.

It was earlier reported that D'Souza wanted his elevation as the chief minister, thereby spreading speculations that there might be a rift within the state BJP.

Besides Parsekar, D'Souza and Goa Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar were said to be in the race for the Chief Minister's post.