Panaji: Paying homage to Manohar Parrikar , Union home minister Rajnath Singh said here on Thursday that the former defence minister played a key role not just in the two cross-border surgical strikes but also in two air strikes undertaken by the Armed forces that remain classified.Speaking at the condolence meeting organised by the state government to mark 12 days since the demise of Parrikar, Singh also credited Parrikar with reforms at the defence ministry.“I remember the day when the Uri incident happened, the Prime Minister called two of us… there were two to three officers also. Restlessness, rage was easily visible on Parrikar’s face,” said Singh.“From the papers you will know that he played a key role in the strike. The whole night he sat and watched the operation. What you may not know is that there were two air strikes that Manohar Parrikar played an important role,” Singh said.Singh also shared how Parrikar came to be picked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to helm the defence ministry.“After the election results, the Prime Minister asked who could be given the defence ministry. A lot of names were discussed but Modiji did not approve. Modiji was looking for someone who was without blemish, someone who was a fighter, who was decisive. Somehow Parrikar’s name came up and Modiji also agreed,” said Singh.Singh also said Parrikar played a pivotal role in ensuring that the light combat aircraft, Tejas, got inducted into the Indian Air Force.“Every country aspires to induct a next generation fighter but for 30 years India had not inducted such a fighter jet. It was Parrikar who was responsible for bringing the Rafale fighter contract on track,” said Singh.Goa governor Mridula Sinha, sharing her memories, claimed that she was reluctant on assuming charge as the governor of Goa and despite the insistence of Singh she kept stalling.“One day, Rajnathji phoned me and said that someone has come to invite me to Goa and he gave the phone to Parrikar. I had a change of heart because how could I say no to Parrikar,” Sinha said.She also said Parrikar had no airs about himself and despite being a chief minister would carry her suitcase at the BJP national executive meetings.

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