1:15 pm I ensure transparency and proper decision making. Corruption is the biggest problem, it is eating away the fabric of the nation and corruption in defence deals is tantamount to treason, says Manohar Parrikar

1:10 pm The track-record of the Narendra Modi government in the five months it has been power has been excellent, says Parrikar.

1:05 pm I have not been intimated about whether I will be the new defence minister...it would be premature to talk about what are the priorities of the defence ministry, says Parrikar.

1 pm I will resign by 11:30-12 pm tomorrow, the legislature party (of Goa BJP) will meet after that to elect their new leader, says Parrikar.

11:25 am After swearing in ceremony on Sunday, Manohar Parrikar will leave for Lucknow on Monday to file nomination papers for Rajya Sabha, reports said.

10:40 am I will resign tomorrow after the BJP parliamentary party meet, says Goa CM Manohar Parrikar.

10:20 am BJP legislative party meet is underway in Porvorim. Former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa and party general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy nominated as central observers .

10:10 am Goa Speaker Rajendra Arlekar, who is one of the frontrunners to take over as the next Chief Minsiter of Goa, told a news channel that he is willing to accept any responsibility that the party entrusts him with.

9:30 am Goa BJP legislative party will meet shortly to deliberate on Manohar Parrikar's replacement. All the 21 BJP MLAs are expected to be present at the meet.

Party veterans Speaker of Legislative Assembly Rajendra Arlekar and Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar – both with RSS background - are considered to be the frontrunners along with Deputy CM Francis D'Souza.

While Arlekar is believed to leading the race, one potential blip on his record, however, is a petition by a lawyer activist pending in a trial court accusing him of allegedly amassing disproportionate assets.

Parsenkar also has strong credentials and has served as state chief twice.

D'Souza, one of BJP's oldest minority faces, may emerge as the dark horse in the race given his strong support base among Goa's 26 percent Catholic population.

9 am Goa CM is likely to resign today as the first step towards his move to Delhi. While Parrikar confirmed that he has accepted party president Amit Shah directive asking him to be ready for an assignment in Delhi, he chose to keep mum on the speculation that he will be taking over the next defence minister.

Parrikar said he is ready for the challenge and dismissed suggestions that he has no prior experience in the central government.

“I have faced many challenges in life; when I became CM for the first time I had no experience...now with administrative experience nothing is difficult for me, said Parrikar in an interview to a news channel.

Parrikar was in Delhi on Wednesday. He had called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.

Currently, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley holds the additional charge of the ministry.

IITian Parrikar has strong credentials to hold one of the most important posts in the government of India as he is known for his clean image and excellent administrative skills.

A soft spoken man, Parrikar is known as a tough task master when confronted with governance issues.

Also, Parrikar shares a good rapport with Modi and had played a critical role in Modi's elevation as BJP's prime ministerial candidate last year.