I am mentally prepared for Goa CM's job: Dhavalikar

Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party (MGP) minister Sudin Dhavalikar, whose party is a constituent of the BJP-led coalition government in Goa, today said he was "mentally prepared" to take reins of the state in absence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who has been undergoing medical treatment in the USA since March this year.

"If people are happy with my work then I am mentally prepared to take up the responsibility as chief minister," he told a press conference.

Dhavalikar, who is the seniormost minister in the government, is also part of the Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) set up by Parrikar before he left for the USA for receiving treatment for a pancreatic ailment.

Responding to a query on whether he is eyeing the CM's post, Dhavalikar said, "Let us not talk on that issue at this stage".

MGP, which has three MLAs, is one of the two parties supporting the BJP government in the state; the other being the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and three Independents.

He also rubbished reports that the MGP was being merged into the BJP.

"There is nothing as such, as of now," he said.

Dhavalikar refused to commit his party's support to BJP candidates in upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"It is for the central committee of the MGP to decide whether to contest the election on our own or with support of the BJP," he said.

Parrikar (62) had issued a video message earlier this month saying he would return to Goa in the "next few weeks" from the USA.