BJP leaders, alliance ministers meet Parrikar, say no leadership change
Panaji, Sep 14 : Top BJP leaders and alliance ministers in the BJP-led coalition cabinet on Friday met ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at a private clinic in Candolim village.
The former Defence Minister was admitted to the health facility two days ago.
Parrikar -- who earlier on Friday attended Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at his ancestral home in Parra village, located about 10 km from Panaji -- is fine, both PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar of the MGP and Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward said, after meeting the Chief Minister.
This is the first time Parrikar, 62, has met members of his cabinet as well as top BJP leaders since September 6, when he returned from his third visit to the US, where he is undergoing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer.
"His health is good," Sardesai told reporters, after meeting Parrikar at the private clinic in Candolim beach village, located 15 km from Panaji.
Dhavalikar said the Chief Minister was working at the hospital and clearing files.
When asked if the alliance leaders had sought a change of Parrikar's leadership, in view of the Chief Minister's poor health, Dhavalikar said: "He is doing work. When he is doing work, where is the question of taking charge."
BJP sources also said central observers would arrive in Goa soon to take stock of the political situation in view of Parrikar's illness.
The Chief Minister has been recuperating at his private residence near Panaji ever since his return from the US on September 6.
He was admitted to the private clinic last week, before being admitted a second time, two days ago, after informed sources said he had developed fever.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
White House says Colombia agreed to take deported migrants after Trump tariff showdown
Bogota (Colombia) (AP): The White House claimed victory in a showdown with Colombia over accepting flights of deported migrants from the US on Sunday, hours after President Donald Trump threatened steep tariffs on imports and other sanctions on the longtime US partner.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a late Sunday statement that the “Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump's terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on US military aircraft, without limitation or delay.”
Leavitt said the tariff orders - which would have put in place 25% tariffs on all Colombian incoming goods, and then raised to 50% in one week - will be “held in reserve, and not signed." But Leavitt said Trump would maintain visa restrictions on Colombian officials and enhanced customs inspections of goods from the country, “until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned.”
There was no immediate reaction from the Colombian government.
