'Parrikar clearing files from AIIMS, no vacancy for Goa CM yet'
Panaji, Sep 16 : The ruling MLAs in Goa on Sunday continued to root for Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, insisting that the Chief Minister's post is not up for grabs, and claimed the ailing leader was clearing official files from AIIMS in Delhi.
Parrikar was airlifted on Saturday and got admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi for treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.
"He is clearing files. Today, I got four files cleared by him. If he was not there, how could these have been cleared? When I met him the other day, he was clearing files. So where is the question of giving charge to anybody or giving anything else?" Public Works Department minister Sudin Dhavalikar told reporters in Panaji.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho who claimed he had met the Goa Chief Minister in person in Delhi on Sunday, said that Parrikar was recovering well and that there was no vacancy for the top political post in the state.
"He was in a very cheerful mood, he was taking rest. Even his health has improved," he told reporters.
Asked about a section of the BJP's coalition allies demanding a "permanent solution" to the leadership crisis in the state, Godinho said: "It is all hypothetical. When all those questions will arise? When there is a vacancy. There is no vacancy of Chief Minister. He will continue as a Chief MInister...".
When Sports Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar was questioned, as to why ruling MLAs were insisting on piling Parrikar with official work, especially when he was suffering from a serious health condition, the minister said: "It is his (Parrikar) decision. How can we tell him? He wants to work. Even though their health is failing, some people have enthusiasm. He is enthusiastic about working for Goa".
Parrikar was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in February this year, after which he has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, New York and now Delhi for treatment.
His absence due to medical reasons has been criticised by the Opposition as well as civil society.
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EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
