BJP has given me NOC to join Union Cabinet: Manohar Parrikar

PANAJI: Putting an end to speculations, Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said that he will accept a profile in the Union ministry if offered by Prime Minster Narendra Modi.
"The party (BJP) has given me a no objection certificate (NOC) to join the Union cabinet," Parrikar said.
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Parrikar said that BJP president Amit Shah spoke to him earlier today and indicated that if an assignment at the Center were to be offered to him then he should oblige.
Parrikar said that he has yet to receive an official offer as of now and added that the decision will be made on November 8 at the parliamentary board meeting in Delhi.
He insisted that under the parliamentary system, it is the prime minister's prerogative to forward the names of his Cabinet ministers to the President and that making a statement in advance would amount to overreaching this prerogative. He said that the final decision would be conveyed to him before November 9.
Saying that leaving the state will leave him in an emotional state, Parrikar hinted that the need of the nation has be taken into account.
"I have too much attachment to Goa. But rationality dictates that when the nation requires my services I should deliver," Parrikar said.
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Responding to a query about his successor, Parrikar said that it is still under consideration.
"If I leave, I will ensure that guidance is provided whenever required by the new CM. In that case, the party internal assessment will select a local MLA with the capacity to deliver while taking everyone along," he concluded.