Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today termed as "happy news" the media reports speculating return of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to his home state to lead BJP in Assembly elections slated next year.
"It is a very happy news. I am happy (and) what I have come to know is through media," Parsekar said reacting to the media reports.
The buzz about return of Parrikar, who helmed the state before his ascension as Union Minister in November 2014, started doing rounds after he reportedly told journalists in Delhi that "all options" were open to him even as he chose not discuss them.
BJP had won with a majority in 2012 Assembly polls under Parrikar as his social engineering experiment helped pull in Catholic votes for the saffron party.
BJP currently rules the coastal state in alliance with the Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party (MGP).
Commenting on the rumours, BJP Goa chief Vinay Tendulkar said Parrikar is welcome if he is returning to the state.
"If he is coming back then he is welcome. I am completely in sync with the statement of the chief minister," Tendulkar said.
However, he clarified that no formal discussion was held about the former CM rejoining the state politics.
"At least nothing has been discussed with me. What I am getting to know is through media," Tendulkar said.
