If Manohar Parrikkar played his cards well, "he might even replace Prime Minister Narendra Modi", Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh said on Sunday and advised him now "to prove to be a good Defence Minister".Singh, who is in charge of the Congress affairs in Goa, also had a piece of advise for his own party: "Congress should also understand that the people of Goa have given us last chance to perform or else perish. May God help us."Taking a dig at Parrikar who has spent a long time in Goa despite being appointed the Defence Minister, Singh said he should now relax in Delhi and "should prove to be a good Defence Minister". "My sympathies for Manohar Parrikar. But give him credit for his never-say-die spirit. In spite of losing badly, he is still fishing in troubled waters! But then he loves Goa fish," Singh said on his official Twitter account."Come on Parrikarji, now relax in Delhi and prove to be a good Defence Minister. Who knows if you play your cards well you may replace Modi!" he added.
The Congress, the single largest party with 17 elected legislators, and the BJP with 13 lawmakers are negotiating with the regional parties and Independent candidates to form the new post-poll government in the coastal state. In the 40-member assembly, any party seeking to form the government needs a simple majority of 21 members.Digvijaya thanked the Goa voters for having faith in Congress. He also advised the Congress to understand the mood of people in Goa."Many many thanks for the Goa voters to have reposed their faith in Congress. Highly obliged. We have learned our lesson and mistakes made in 2007-12 won't be repeated. We shall deliver the promises made in a time frame," he said."As we have a fractured mandate, we are seeking support from all non-BJP MLAs without compromising on core promises made in our manifesto. Corruption shall not be tolerated and we shall sincerely work for Goa and Goans," he added.The Congress, he warned, has a "last chance to perform or else perish".