Manohar Parrikar Meets Governor As Modi, Shah Greenlight His Return to Goa

New Delhi/Panaji: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar met the Goa Governor on Sunday, sending strong signals that the BJP may form the government in Goa with support from Independents and non-Congress parties.

Parrikar met Governor Mridula Sinha in the evening but was yet to resign from the Union Cabinet.

Addressing a press conference in the evening, Gadkari said the BJP's parliamentary board, which includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah, had "no objection" to Parrikar returning to the coastal state as the CM. Gadkari said Parrikar, a former Goa CM, too was willing to return to form the government.

In a short statement, Parrikar thanked the party's MLAs and the central leadership for backing him.

Earlier in the day, BJP leader Michael Lobo, who won from Calangute constituency, said BJP MLAs passed a resolution seeking party chief Amit Shah's nod to elect Parrikar as the state legislature party leader.

Sources told CNN-News18 that the NCP, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Forward Party also want Parrikar back as Goa CM.

"The people want Parrikar to come back to Goa. Now it will depend on the Goa Forward Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. If they support us, we will form the government in the state," BJP legislator Michael Lobo had told reporters outside party headquarters in Panaji earlier on Sunday.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has accused the BJP of indulging in horse-trading. "Go ahead if you (BJP) have the support of more than 21 (MLAs). We are ready to sit in Opposition, but it's a coup against people's mandate," he said.