Will miss Goan fish curry and rice: Parrikar

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, 58, will tender his resignation on Saturday. He is heading to Delhi and is tipped to become the next Defence Minister in an expansion of the Narendra Modi cabinet likely on Sunday.

An India Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay graduate, Parrikar is expected to take over in Delhi from Arun Jaitley who was holding charges of two crucial portfolios - Finance and Defence.

The change of guard will take place as Prime Minister decided to take off some of the burden from Jaitley. Modi wants Jaitley to devote fully in his primary portfolio -- Finance, so that he can focus on the massive task of prepping the Budget, to presented next February. Apart from that, Jaitley might get an new junior minister to assist him.

Earlier, Jaitley has reportedly told Modi to ease his task by taking away the defence portfolio, so that he can devote himself to reboot the economy.

It is noteworthy to mention here that, when Modi took oath in May, the name of Parrikar as Defence Minister was doing rounds. But at that time, Modi rested dual responsibility of Finance and Defence on Jaitley owing to his 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance' policy.

"I give you a guarantee that if I do get the Defence Ministry, I will be clean, transparent and open. On November 9, I will complete 20 years in politics, without a single stain or allegation against me," Parrikar told NDTV on Thursday evening.

But prior to that, Parrikar held one last Goa cabinet's meeting as a CM on Thursday night, where he reportedly broke down in front of his colleagues.

"I am going to Delhi because they have asked me to take up the assignment. I will always be available for Goa whenever required," an emotional Parrikar told party legislators.

Later, talking to reporters, he said: "I am disturbed at leaving the post. But the nation is bigger than state for me. I have a mixed feeling".

Parrikar added he would miss the "Goan fish curry-rice", if he is selected for an assignment in Delhi.

In the mean time, media reported that BJP central leadership has short-listed three candidates for Goa CM's post, who may succeed Parrikar.

It has been learnt the names of Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza, state health minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar are doing rounds.

Also in the line is Union tourism minister Sripad Naik, who also hails from Goa.

According to media reports, the party's central leaders BS Yeddyurappa and Rajiv Pratap Rudy will be in Goa as observers at the meeting to elect the new Chief Minister.

The process of electing his successor will take place on Saturday. A formal announcement would be made by BJP's Parliamentary Board after its meeting in Delhi.

Media reported that Parrikar may be elevated to Parliament as a Rajya Sabha member from Lucknow.