CM Manohar Parrikar (File photo)

MAPUSA: For the first time since chief minister Manohar Parrikar was diagnosed with a pancreatic ailment in February, health minister Vishwajit Rane disclosed on Saturday that Parrikar was suffering from pancreatic cancer and spending “peaceful time” with his family.

“Parrikar is suffering from pancreatic cancer. He was brought back from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, so that he can spend time with his family,” Rane told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Aldona.

Rane also dared the Congress to go to the court over Parrikar’s health update.

Congress spokesperson Jitendra Deshprabhu had on Friday given a four days’ ultimatum to the state government to release a video footage of Parrikar discharging his duties as the chief minister or it would approach the court for a health update.

“If Deshprabhu wants to go to the court, then he is free to do so. He is infested with foolishness, but I am not. Congress doesn’t have any issue to take up and as such they are after Parrikar’s life,” he said.

Rane said the chief minister is unwell and people of Goa know about it. At present, Parrikar has developed weakness due to the illness and needs some time to spend with his family.

Parrikar had attended the last assembly session in August before flying to the US for a medical follow-up. After returning from the US, he has neither attended office nor chaired a cabinet meeting.

Parrikar’s illness had led to the BJP central leadership sending a team to Goa to explore “alternative options” for a change in guard in the state. Having failed to reach a consensus, party president Amit Shah had tweeted that Parrikar would continue to be the chief minister but would divest most of his portfolios. Parrikar currently holds over 30 portfolios including the key ministries of home, finance, education, industry and mines.

“People will always talk about the massive infrastructure created by Parrikar. Today, the situation has arisen wherein we need to highlight his contribution to the massive infrastructure build-up,” Rane said.

The opposition Congress has charged Parrikar of failing to discharge his duties due to his illness, while the allies in the coalition government have been vocal about the state administration coming to a standstill.

But Rane said Parrikar’s working from home has not created any obstruction to the smooth flow of administration. “At least, I have not witnessed it. In fact, I spoke to him yesterday (Friday),” Rane said.

“Congress constantly plays politics with Parrikar’s health. Recently, one of their leaders had fallen sick, but neither his family nor his party disclosed anything about his health. He is a public figure and I don’t want to name him. Can I make an issue out of his health? I cannot,” Rane said.

“If Parrikar wants to spend some quality time with his family, nobody has the business to ask him. I cannot compel his family to speak about his health,” the health minister said.

Parrikar was first diagnosed with the pancreatic ailment in mid-February and has undergone treatment in the US. On September 15, he was finally taken to AIIMS and returned to Goa after a month. Since then, he has been undergoing treatment at his private residence.

