Goa CM Manohar Parrikar dies at 63; state funeral planned, PM Modi to pay respects

Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar died on Sunday evening at his son’s home in Panaji after fighting pancreatic cancer for more than a year. He was 63. President Ram Nath Kovind announced the news on Twitter, and tributes came in from leaders across parties.

Funeral and tributes

President Kovind described Mr Parrikar as an embodiment of integrity and dedication in public life. According to the Home Ministry, he was to be given a state funeral with full military honours. His body was kept at the Goa BJP office before being taken to Kala Academy so the public could pay respects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh were to travel to Goa, the Union Cabinet called a meeting to offer condolences, and the state declared mourning, with schools and colleges shut.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, a close friend, said the BJP government in Goa was formed because of Mr Parrikar, who had returned as Chief Minister at the party’s request after serving as Defence Minister. Congress president Rahul Gandhi said he was respected across party lines and was one of Goa’s most loved sons.

His final months

Mr Parrikar’s health had worsened on Saturday morning. Since February the previous year he had been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New York. In January, the four-time chief minister vowed to serve Goa till his last breath. He presented the state budget in recent months with a tube in his nose, prompting Congress allegations that the BJP was parading him to save its government.

Race for a successor

The Congress again staked a claim to form the government, saying the BJP was in a minority. The BJP-led coalition met late into the night but could not agree on a new chief minister; Mr Gadkari reached the state after 12 pm to hold talks. Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo said the talks stalled because the MGP‘s Sudin Dhavalikar wanted the top post while the BJP wanted it for itself.

What happened next

In the 2022 Goa Assembly election the BJP won 20 seats, and Pramod Sawant was Chief Minister after that election.

Originally published on 18 March 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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