Parrikar to resign as Goa CM today

• Will be new defence minister: BJP MLA
• New Goa Chief Minister to take oath today
• Dy CM threatens to quit if not made CM
• I will be clean and transparent: Parrikar

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has said he will resign on Saturday and a new chief minister will take oath the same day. He is headed to Delhi and is tipped to become Defence Minister in an expansion of the Narendra Modi cabinet likely on Sunday.

"He has told us that he is getting the defence portfolio," Michael Lobo, a legislator, said after meeting Parrikar.

Meanwhile, revolt brewed in Goa BJP with the race for the CM's post intensifying as Deputy CM Francis D'Souza throwing his hat into the ring while Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar emerged the front-runner to succeed Manohar Parrikar.

"I am chief ministerial material. I will not be reporting to a junior," D'Souza, BJP's Christian face in Goa, told reporters at the airport on his arrival from abroad.

He said "I will not take oath if I am not made the Chief Minister. What future action I will take, I will decide after that".

Though names of both Parsekar and D'Souza, besides state Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar were doing the rounds as successor to Parrikar who is tipped to shift to the union cabinet, the Deputy Chief Minister's claim to the post may make the proceedings a little difficult tomorrow when BJP Legislature Party meets to elect its new leader.

Parrikar had tears in his eyes on Friday evening, during his last Cabinet briefing in Porvorim, as he explained why leaving Goa is difficult for him.

"It is very difficult for me to leave the state. I have lost my wife about 12-13 years ago, it is difficult family wise. But nation is first," said the 58-year-old IITian, who has been Goa's chief minister thrice. He is tipped to be India's next Defence Minister.

"I did the best I could do for Goa", said the emotional Chief Minister.

While the big move will make him one of the most powerful ministers in the Modi government, there is one thing even the corridors of power won't be able to fulfill. "Fish curry rice," says the IIT-Bombay graduate. "That's what I will miss most about Goa!"

The Goa CM says he has got a number of text messages and most of them are congratulatory in nature. "About 20% of them say they will miss me. But I think it goes both ways. I will go with a heavy heart," he smiles almost immediately lost in nostalgia.

"I give you a guarantee that if I do get the Defence Ministry, I will be clean, transparent and open.” On November 9, Parrikar would complete 20 years in politics.