Manohar Parrikar discharged after a week in hospital
A week after he was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai for stomach ache, Goa CM Manohar Parrikar was discharged today and has arrived in Goa. He was undergoing treatment for pancreatitis, sources confirmed, and has reached his residence now. However, it is still unclear if he will be able to table the budget in the state assembly today as scheduled.
Speculations abounded about the CM's health during his hospitalization
On February 14, Parrikar complained of stomach ache and was subsequently taken to the Goa Medical College and Hospital for a check-up. The next day, he was shifted to Lilavati. Though BJP and Lilavati Hospital issued statements that the CM was responding well to treatment, his actual condition remained shrouded in mystery. Speculations increased after PM Narendra Modi visited the ailing CM.
Parrikar's ill health puts BJP on shaky ground
Even as special prayers were held for his recovery in Dhavem, Vasco and Mumbai, Parrikar's hospitalization made headlines because of its probable impact on the BJP's strength in Goa. Notably, BJP won only 13 of 40 seats in February'17. It hurriedly stitched together an alliance of local parties and independents, who agreed to support them only if Parrikar helms the government.
Impact of Parrikar's hospitalization: Budget session curtailed, discussion postponed
During his absence, BJP had entrusted PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar with tabling the budget. Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant claimed the CM was fine-tuning the budget from the hospital. The session was also curtailed to four days and the budget discussion pushed to the monsoon session.
