'Decision on Manohar Parrikar's successor as Goa CM and swearing-in both post 2pm today'

The Goa BJP has said that it will make a decision on who will be the next Chief Minister of the state by 2 pm on Monday, with the swearing-in set to take place at 3 pm, as per PTI, even as the Congress Goa MLAs are set to meet with Governor Mridula Sinha to stake claim to forming a government citing their larger number of MLAs.

Following the passing away of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday, Goa BJP leaders Pramod Sawant and Vinay Tendulkar have been spoken of as being be in the running to succeed him. Goa BJP leaders along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari have been in talks with allies since early Monday morning.

Sawant's name was put forward by the BJP as the front runner for the chief ministership of the state, as per BJP sources. On the other hand, nine MLAs from parties in coalition (3 Goa Forward, 3 MGP and 3 Independents) have proposed Vinay Tendulkar's name to be the next CM. 

READ | IIT Bombay Pays Tribute To Its Distinguished Alumnus Manohar Parrikar, Highlights His Involvement With Another IIT As Well

About Pramod Sawant:

Sawant is the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly. He is an MLA from Sankhalim in North Goa. He is also an Ayurvedic doctor by training.

Sawant holds a degree in BAMS (Bachelor in Ayurvedic Medicine) from Ganga Aruvedic Medical College, and also holds a degree in MSW (Master In Social Work).

He had tweeted about Manohar Parrikar's demise and called him a 'fatherly figure'.

READ | BJP Favours Pramod Sawant For Next Goa CM, As Per Sources. Here's All You Need To Know About Him

About Vinay Tendulkar:

Vinay Tendulkar is the state BJP president and a Rajya Sabha MP. He earlier headed the Forest Ministry for the state and regarded Parrikar as a friend and a leader.

READ | Jairam Ramesh Pays Respects To Manohar Parrikar, Harkens Back To Their Time At IIT Bombay

Manohar Parrikar, the four-time Goa CM and former Union Defence Minister, passed away at his private residence on Sunday evening after battling Pancreatic Cancer. He was 63 years old.

The central government has announced national mourning on Monday. The national flag will fly at half-mast across the country. The Goa government announced on Sunday that it would observe seven days of state mourning, from March 18, 2019 to March 24, 2019.