"Induction is on cards. She will be sworn-in on Tuesday. I have a right under Constitution of India to induct her," Parrikar told reporters on the sidelines of a function organised to swear in newly appointed Goa Governor B V Wanchoo in the afternoon.
An RTI activist, Aires Rodrigues, today filed a petition before Election Commission of India (ECI) against proposed induction of Alina, terming it as a violation of code of conduct. She will be contesting forthcoming Cortalim by-polls on June 2 on BJP ticket.
Parrikar said Constitution of India empowers him to induct anyone in his cabinet, provided she is elected to the House within six months.
"The question is whether Constitution is important or code of conduct, which is not even a legal document," the chief minister said.
On the claim that induction would amount to influencing the voters, Parrikar said, "You have to influence the voter when you are contesting an election."
"What is an election manifesto meant for? Only issue is that one should not take undue advantage," he added.
Cortalim by-poll was necessitated after the death of former tourism minister, who died due to heart attack within few days of he being sworn-in.
BJP had chosen Saldanha's wife Alina, a newcomer into politics, to contest from South Goa's Cortalim seat.
