New Delhi: As the speculations are high that former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar could be given Defence portfolio which is now held as an additional charge by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said on Sunday said that at present he 'don’t know what Minister' he will be given.
“I don’t know what Minister, at this point of time I’m just Ex-CM,” Manohar Parrikar said on joining the Union Cabinet.
Parikar further said that he will accept a profile in the Union ministry if offered by Prime Minster Narendra Modi.
PM Modi is all set to reshuffle and expand his cabinet on Sunday. As many as 20 new faces are expected to be inducted into the Union Council of Ministers.
The rejig is likely to bring in BJP leaders Manohar Parrikar, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Bandaru Datttatreya while elevating a few, reports said.
Further answering to a question, Parrikar said, “I have just been invited by the PM for swearing-in, in Delhi, will talk about my responsibility when I will be given one (sic)”, ANI reported.
On quitting as Goa CM, Parrikar added, “It is more difficult to be a CM, that too of a small State, so pressure wise I feel lighter.”
Further praising the ability of the newly-elected Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar, Parrikar said, “He is experienced, I think he will perform very well with ease.”
Earlier today, Parsekar, along with other BJP leaders met Goa Governor Mridula Sinha at the Raj Bhavan to stake claim of forming the state government. Later, Parsekar took oath as the new Chief Minister after all the MLAs unanimously decided to select him for the top post.
