New Delhi: Former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is scheduled to file nomination for Rajya Sabha election from Uttar Pardesh on Monday.
Parrikar was inducted into the Union Cabinet on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi expanded his Council of Ministers.
"I can confirm that I am going Lucknow in the next 15 minutes," Parrikar told reporters outside the Goa Sadan in the national capital. Sources said he will file his Rajya Sabha nomination around noon on Monday.
Asked if one can now assume that he is the new Defence Minister, Parrikar said, "Wait for another half a day. I will not speculate anything but I don't think there will be any change from your thinking. Let it come officially".
Replying to queries on the killing of an Army jawan and a woman at the LoC in Pakistani firing, the newly inducted Cabinet Minister said, "Let me at least get something officially. Let me get a little briefing. Without being briefed myself, I cannot comment".
He stressed that the morning tea with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was just an informal interaction in which portfolio was not discussed.
He said the Prime Minister has told them that they should study their new Ministry once they assume charge. Parrikar is likely to be the country's new Defence Minister. He will take over from Arun Jaitley, who was holding additional charge of Defence.
Jaitley will now focus exclusively on the next Budget, a mammoth task for the government that will put into action the government's economic plans. From a RSS pracharak to a Union Minister,technocrat-turned politician Parrikar, a three-time Goa Chief Minister, is known for his administrative acumen and clean image.
(With inputs from PTI)
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