Goa CM defends Defence Minister Parrikar's visits to Goa

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has appealed to media not to give undue publicity to statements by opposition parties questioning Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's frequent visits to his home state.

"Goa is his hometown. He has to come here to see how the state government is functioning, how the party is functioning, how his friends are, how his family is. He is concerned about all this," Parsekar said addressing a public meeting in Mapusa town last evening, where Parrikar was present.

"There are some political opponents who raise questions about his visits to Goa. He is the Defence Minister of the entire nation. Goa is part of India. So what's wrong with his visit here?" the chief minister asked.

"I appeal media not to give undue publicity to the statements made by opposition parties (questioning Parrikar's presence in Goa)," he said.

In his speech, Parsekar referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'yug purush', saying he has the capacity to be the world leader, and expressed happiness that he selected Parrikar to handle the important Defence portfolio.