Live updates: BJP's Pramod Sawant likely to be Goa's new CM, says PTI

A consensus eluded the BJP and its allies on the next Goa chief minister following the death of Manohar Parrikar, says Gadkari. Catch LIVE updates on Goa govt formation

7:43 PM

BJP man to be Goa CM; allies manage to get 2 Dy CM's posts

BJP's Pramod Sawant will be the new chief minister of Goa, party sources said on Monday. Two MLAs from the BJP alliance partners will be made deputy chief ministers as part of the compromise reached with allies, they said. The BJP managed to break the deadlock in Goa, offering key allies their pound of flesh, by accepting their demand for deputy CM's posts.

 

Sawant is now Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly. He will succeed Manohar Parrikar who died Sunday. The two would-be Dy CMs are Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai and MGP MLA Sudin Dhavalikar. "We have managed to convince the alliance partners and finalised the formula of two deputy chief ministers for the state, a senior BJP functionary said. The swearing in ceremony is likely to be held at 9 pm on Monday, he said. 

6:17 PM

Manohar Parrikar cremated with full state honours

Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar was cremated with state honurs on Monday, with thousands bidding the affable politician a fond farewell. BJP president Amit Shah, some Union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states attended the funeral at Miramar. Parrikar's eldest son Utpal lit the funeral pyre.

 

The funeral procession started from the Kala Academy where thousands, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid their last respects to the former defence minister. The mortal remains of the 63-year-old senior BJP leader were kept in a flower-decked hearse which left for the Miramar beach, where the last rites were performed.

5:44 PM

5:41 PM

No consensus on Goa CM: Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari Monday evening said a consensus eluded the BJP and its allies on the next Goa chief minister following the death of Manohar Parrikar. He said the BJP had zeroed in on the next CM candidate but its allies in the state were yet to get on board. He, however, did not reveal who the BJP had chosen.

There have been a series of meetings involving the Goa Forward Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party's three MLAs each, an equal number of Independents, and BJP legislators since late Sunday night to reach a consensus on Parrikar's successor. Gadkari had flown into the state early Monday to lead the discussion.

"We are yet to reach a consensus (with allies) on a candidate for the CM's post. We are in talks with our alliance partners, Gadkari said. Gadkari added that he was in Goa till 6 pm Monday and hoped a name for the next CM of the coastal state agreeable to all would be arrived at by then.

5:36 PM

Parrikar's funeral procession begins, thousands join cortege

The funeral procession of Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar began in Panaji on Monday, with thousands joining the cortege to bid him a fond farewell.

 

The mortal remains of the 63-year-old senior BJP leader were kept in a flower-decked hearse which left the Kala Academy here for the Miramar beach, where the last rites will be performed.

 

The affection and popularity Parrikar enjoyed among ordinary Goans was on display as hundreds of common folks, and his party workers lined up to pay tributes to the chief minister, who died on Sunday after prolonged illness.

 

Parrikar will be accorded state funeral with full military honours at Miramar, an official said.

 

Earlier, a pall of gloom descended on the BJP office and hundreds of Parrikar supporters turned emotional when his mortal remains, wrapped in the tricolour, were brought there.

 

As the vehicle carrying his body travelled 5 km from his private residence in Dona Paula to Panaji in the morning, people tried to catch a glimpse of the leader, who rose from the small coastal state to become the country's defence minister.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Parrikar the Kala Academy and met his family members and offered his condolences to them.

 

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman also met Parrikar's family members.

 

The final rites of Parrikar will be performed at the Miramar beach, next to the memorial of Goa's first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar, who was also cremated there, a state BJP spokesperson said.

2:47 PM

Parrikar's fans line up streets, party office to pay tributes

The affection and popularity he enjoyed from ordinary Goans was on display as hundreds of common folks, and his party workers lined up to pay tributes to Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who died Sunday after prolonged illness.

 

Parrikar, 63, will be accorded state funeral with full military honours at Miramar on Monday, an official said.

 

People gathered at the BJP office in Panaji to pay last respects to the late leader.

 

A pall of gloom descended on the BJP office and hundreds of Parrikar supporters turned emotional when his mortal remains, wrapped in the tricolour, was brought there.

2:37 PM

2:28 PM

Shiv Sena's Deepak Kesarkar offers floral tribute to CM's last remains PM Modi expected to arrive at the venue shortly. He is on way.

2:27 PM

Smriti Irani arrives at Kala Academy.

2:27 PM

PM Modi arrives at Kala Academy to pay his last respects to Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar

PM Modi arrives at Kala Academy to pay his last respects to Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar

1:52 PM

Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar said that Goa governor Mridula Sinha has assured the Congress party that she would give the Congress an opportunity this evening to prove their numbers as the single largest party. The party said that they have also kept legal options open in case the governor does not invite them to form the government.

1:45 PM

Hectic political activities are on in the coastal state to select the new chief minister after the death of chief minister Manohar Parrikar Sunday. "The decision on chief ministerial candidate is yet to be taken. But the picture will be clear by 2 pm," Tendulkar said, adding that the new chief minister would be sworn in after 3 pm Monday.

1:44 PM

We have 14 MLAs and we should be given the chance to form the government: Chandrakant Kavlekar, Congress

Chandrakant Kavlekar, Congress: We met the Governor&staked claim to form government as we are the single largest party in the state. We have 14 MLAs and we should be given the chance to form the government. We have told that we will prove majority.

1:41 PM

MGP's executive committee to decide on support to Goa govt

The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), an ally of the ruling BJP in Goa said its executive committee would take a call on whether to continue support to the state government.

 

Dhavalikar said, "The MGP would hold its executive committee meeting later in the day to decide whether to continue its support to the BJP-led government or not." Responding to a question, he said there was no discussion with Gadkari on the chief ministerial candidate.

1:35 PM

PM Narendra Modi leaves for Goa to pay tribute to Parrikar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Goa on Monday to pay tribute to chief minister Manohar Parrikar.

 

Modi left for Goa soon after the Union Cabinet meeting, which was convened to condole the demise of Parrikar.

 

BJP president Amit Shah will also be in Goa to take part in the funeral procession of the late leader, the party said.