Goa Tourism Minister Saldanha dies of heart attack

Goa Tourism Minister Matanhy Saldanha died at a hospital here after suffering a massive heart attack in the wee hours today, sources said.

Panaji: Goa Tourism Minister Matanhy Saldanha
died at a hospital here after suffering a massive heart attack
in the wee hours today, sources said.

Saldanha (64), who also holds the portfolios of Science
and Environment, was brought to a private hospital at around
1.30 am after he suffered massive cardiac arrest. The doctors
treating him told PTI that they tried to resurrect him for
almost two hours before declaring him dead.

The body has been shifted to Goa Medical College and
hospital near here. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar also
rushed to the hospital.

The BJP legislator representing Cortalim constituency was
sworn-in as the minister on March 9 after BJP won the Goa
Assembly elections.

Saldanha had joined BJP little before the March 3
elections and was one amongst the five catholic candidates who
were given ticket by the party.

He has been two-time legislator in the state legislative
assembly, first being elected in the year 2002 on United Goans
Democratic Party ticket. He was elevated to the status of
cabinet minister by then Parrikar-led cabinet.

Saldanha has been on the forefront of movement seeking
right to traditional fishermen. He led National Fishworkers`
Forum (NFF) and also fought against the special economic zones
in the state.

PTI

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