Shiv Sena demands Parrikar's sack over constant Goa visits

The Shiv Sena in Goa on Wednesday demanded that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar be sacked immediately, claiming that the former Chief Minister of Goa was more concerned about the BJP's organisational affairs in Goa than the safety of the country's borders.

"We demand from Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi that Manohar Parrikar, who comes to Goa to attend minor meetings, including block-level meetings where thirty to forty people are present, should be sacked immediately because he does not care for the national security," Shiv Sena's state President Sudip Tamhankar told reporters.

He was addressing a press conference in Panaji on the sidelines of a condolence meet held to honour the 18 soldiers killed in Sunday's terror attack on Uri army camp.

Tamhankar said that Parrikar's performance as Defence Minister was "poor" and that the National Democratic Alliance-led government had failed in its promise to secure the country because of an ineffective Defence Ministry.

"During the 2014 campaign, Modi ji had raised the issue of the national security. He said the country was not safe, but these repeated attacks on India show that India is not safe in this government's hands. The very fact that they had to impose curfew in Kashmir... shows that the country is not safe. Therefore, we demand, that Parrikar, who visits Goa at the smallest excuse, should be sacked," Tamhankar said.

--IANS

maya/lok/vt