MAPUSA
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar visited the homes of some of his colleagues in Bardez and even broke bread with Vinod Palyekar at his residence in Siolim on Saturday.
Although the chief minister’s visit is mentioned as a “courtesy call” in official circles, sources close to the ministers disclosed that Parrikar had a chat with his ministerial colleagues over portfolio distribution.
Parrikar first dropped by at Jayesh Salgaonkar’s residence in Saligao at around noon and then had a brief halt at Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo’s home in Parra.
“The chief minister visited my home at around 12 noon. It was just a courtesy call,” said minister Jayesh Salgaonkar.
The minister insisted that there was no discussion on portfolio distribution. However, sources close to the minister said that the chief minister was inclined to offer Panchayat and Science Technology portfolio to Salgaonkar. At around 1.30 pm, the chief minister dashed to Vinod Palyekar’s residence at Dando, Siolim and had lunch at his home. “The chief minister visited my residence and had lunch with us,” Palyekar said. “We did not discuss anything on portfolio distribution, as the CM will distribute the portfolios on Monday,” he said.
Sources disclosed that Palyekar did attempt to raise the Water Resources portfolio held by former Siolim minister with the chief minister during the lunch, but Parrikar side-stepped the request.
The chief minister was supposed to visit Mapusa MLA’s house too, but couldn’t do so due to some other engagements. “He was supposed to come to my place but he had to rush to Lucknow,” Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza said.
Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte said that the chief minister was supposed to visit his residence late in the evening. “The CM is expected to visit my residence in the evening now,” Khuante said to The Goan at around 8 pm. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said the chief minister had visited his residence as courtesy call and he along with the chief minister was supposed to go for swearing-in to Uttar Pardesh on Sunday.
