Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is always a simple person and did not feel big as he was the defense Minister of the country. There were times when he traveled on the scooter and ate at the road side dhabas even after becoming a union Minister. After becoming the Union Minister he flew to Goa for having the food and drinks.
Responding to a somewhat different question amid the raging debate on India’s surgical strikes, the Union Minister commented that he dresses “better than” his predecessors.
At an event in Mumbai, Mr Parrikar, 60, was asked about his sartorial style and whether it is too simple. Clothing and shoes don’t change caliber of work, he retorted.
“I am uncomfortable in western outfits like suits. Compared to the previous defence minister, my dress is much better,” replied the minister.
“And I do not seek votes over my simplicity like another IITian,” he added, in an apparent jibe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who, like him, is an IIT grad.
Commenting on his shift to the central government in Delhi after Goa politics, Mr Parrikar said, “I came to Delhi only because the Defence portfolio was offered to me. Otherwise, I am more comfortable in Goa.”
Manohar Parrikar said that the major share of credit for the surgical strikes across the LoC goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a gathering at a conference in Navi Mumbai, Mr. Parrikar said, “All Indians, including those ‘doubting Thomases’ can share the credit…that should settle the nerves of many people,” Mr. Parrikar said, taking a dig at political parties accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of seeking to reap political benefits from the strikes in the wake of elections in some of the States.
“I don’t mind sharing credit including surgical strikes with every countrymen of this great country because it is done by our armed forces and not by any political party,” he said.
