A lot of speculation rose regarding the Budget placement in the Goa assembly today as the CM Manohar Parrikar was unwell for days. He, however, made a dramatic appearance to present the budget. Hours after being discharged from Lilavati hospital in Mumbai he reached the assembly. The Chief Minister had complained of a pancreatic pain.
In an unusual style of dressing, he came wearing full sleeves. His son Utpal accompanied him as he arrived at the assembly.
“For a complete recovery, I have been advised by the doctors some precautions in the immediate short term. During this period, my interaction with the public will be limited,” he briefed before the budget.
Parrikar called Goans as his extended family and conveyed thanks to people for their wishes. On February 15, he complained of stomach ache and food poisoning. Eventually, he was rushed to the hospital. Later on, his office issued a statement that he was being treated for a pancreatic illness. His presence for the budget presentation took his cabinet and the assembly by surprise.
Mr Parrikar answered questions thrown by reporters on his health. He waved and said, “Nothing is wrong with me. I have been asked not to maintain close contact.”
“It is his will to come here… He arranged the flight himself, which his whole family did not know. The family was trying to bring him after the budget session. He must have used his good offices for the first time and came on a private flight…only to show the people of Goa that ‘I am a fighter’,” BJP legislator Nilesh Cabral said.
The Opposition leader Chandrakant Kavlekar too expressed gladness on having Mr Parrikar back. “We are glad to see him and we hope he recovers fully,” he said.