Goa CM Manohar Parrikar dead

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar died at his private residence near here Sunday. He was 63.

Parrikar is survived by two sons and their families.

"Chief Minister passed away around 6.40 pm Sunday," a senior state government official told PTI.

The BJP stalwart's health, which has been fluctuating for a year, took a turn for the worse in the past two days. 

In a tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind said, "Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Manohar Parrikar, chief minister of Goa, after an illness borne with fortitude and dignity.

"An epitome of integrity and dedication in public life, his service to the people of Goa and India will not be forgotten," the President tweeted from his official handle.

Sources said former defence minister Parrikar had been on life support system since late Saturday night.

Parrikar had been unwell since February 2018 when he was diagnosed



with a pancreatic ailment.

The last rites of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will be performed at Miramar on Monday evening with full state honours. His mortal remains will be kept at the BJP head office from 9:30 to 10:30 on Monday and will be later taken to the Kala Academy for people to pay their last respects.

The Centre has announced national mourning today following Mr Parrikar's demise. The national flag will fly at half-mast across the country.

A meeting of the Union Cabinet has been called this morning to condole passing away of the Goa Chief Minister.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and several other leaders have condoled Mr Parrikar's demise.

A seven-day state mourning has been declared in Goa from today.