The Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar passed away in Panaji at his private residence on March 17, 2019, around 6:40 pm. He was diagnosed with life-threatening pancreatic cancer and was in a critical condition for more than a year.
Parrikar had undergone treatments in hospitals of Goa, Mumbai and New York, and unfortunately, his condition deteriorated in the past two days. He is survived by two sons and their families.
He was born on December 13, 1955, and began his political career as an RSS pracharak. An alumnus of IIT-Bombay, Parrikar was the first ever IIT graduate to become a State’s Chief Minister. He also served as the country’s Defense Minister in the Narendra Modi-led cabinet from 2014-2017 before taking the charge of Goa’s CM for the fourth time.
President Ram Nath Kovind mourned Parrikar’s demise and tweeted from his official handle, “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”.
“Manohar Parrikar was the builder of modern Goa. Thanks to his affable personality and accessible nature, he remained the preferred leader of the state for years. His pro-people policies ensured Goa scales remarkable heights of progress,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
As of now, he was leading a coalition government, which is supported by the Goa Forward Party (GFP), the Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party (MGP), and three independent lawmakers in Goa. His demise has necessitated a fourth bypoll in Goa, where by-elections are scheduled for the Shiroda, Mandrem, and Mapusa assembly constituencies on April 23, which will be held in the state along with the Lok Sabha elections.
The Centre has announced national mourning on March 18, 2019. The National Flag will fly at half-mast in New Delhi and capitals of States & UTs, and the BJP stalwart will be accorded a state’s funeral. He will be fondly remembered by the people as the ‘Chief Minister of the Common’, for his simplicity and commitment to the service of the nation.