Manohar Parrikar confident of completing his tenure as Goa CM

This is the 4th time that Parrikar has become the Chief Minister of Goa

A day after winning the trust vote in Goa Assembly, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday asserted that his government will complete its tenure.

"Questions are being asked how the government will survive for next five years. I can assure you that this government will complete its tenure.

"Importance will be given to a common agenda that would be worked out between the alliance partners," he told reporters.

The 61-year-old IITian on Thursday has proved his majority with 12 legislators from the BJP, three from the Goa Forward Party, three from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, three Independents and one from the NCP supporting the trust motion.

The strength of Congress was reduced to 16 MLAs in the 40-member House after one of its legislators, Viswajit Rane remained absent during the voting.

Rane later resigned as member of the Goa Assembly.

This is for the fourth time that Parrikar has become the Chief Minister of Goa, though he could not complete full term in any of his earlier stints. He had recently resigned as Defence Minister to return to his native state.

Parrikar chaired the first meeting of his Cabinet today at the state Secretariat.

"The Governor (Mridula Sinha) will present her speech on the floor of the House on March 23 which will make the direction of this government clear," he said.

The BJP leader said after winning the trust vote, he had held a series of meetings on Thursday to discuss the issues of importance.

The state government has decided to work out a strategy to resolve the Mahadeyi water diversion dispute with neighbouring Karnataka, he said.

"You will come to know about our strategy on Mahadeyi issue on Monday," Parrikar asserted, adding that "some of the strategies need to be kept confidential to protect the interest of the state.