Indian FM gets charge of defence ministry
Parrikar resigns to take charge as Goa CM; BJP crosses magic mark in Manipur
Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was given the additional charge of the defence ministry yesterday after Manohar Parrikar resigned to take on the new role of Goa chief minister.
A Rashtrapati Bhawan communique said that the resignation of Parrikar as the defence minister, on advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been accepted with immediate effect.Parrikar submitted his resignation after BJP staked claim to form an alliance government in Goa.
He will be sworn in as the chief minister of Goa today heading the BJP-led ministry which has the support of regional outfits and Independents.
Meanwhile, BJP submitted a list of 32 MLAs — claiming a majority of two in Manipur's 60-member assembly— to governor Najma Heptullah on Sunday and furnished letters of support from regional parties.
BJP, which won 21 seats, claimed the support of National People's Party (4 MLAs), Naga People's Front (4), LJP (1) and two others — lone independent Ashab Uddin and T Robindro Singh, who was elected on a Trinamool ticket. CM Ibobi Singh too met the governor and staked his claim.
BJP meanwhile announced the name of Nongthombam Biren Singh as its chief ministerial pick for the state of Manipur.