Panaji: Politicians, cabinet colleagues and associates of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar paid glowing tributes at the condolence meeting organized by the state government at Kala Academy on Thursday.Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that running the BJP-led coalition government without Parrikar will be a challenge as his vision and insight would be sorely missed. “Manohar Parrikar has the same stature as Goa’s first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar. He needs to remain alive as a thought, as an idea,” said Sawant, as he highlighted Parrikar’s contribution to infrastructure, institutions and education.Minister for information technology Rohan Khaunte also drew parallels between Bandodkar and Parrikar. “Under Manohar Parrikar’s visionary leadership we had the opportunity to learn a lot. We used to say no other Dayanand Bandodkar will be born. Today we can say that no other Manohar Bhai will be born,” Khaunte said.Khaunte said that Parrikar was always well read and astute to understand how to implement schemes and projects in the state. “We have been together, we have fought together and fought with each other,” he said.Deputy chief minister Vijai Sardesai also attributed his growth as a legislator to Parrikar. “If today I am a somewhat learned legislator, it is because of Parrikar's advice. When I was in the opposition, if we came and made statements without preparation, then you would have it from Parrikar. He would embarrass you,” he said.Senior RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi, several ministers from the coalition government, former speaker Rajendra Arlekar, noted industrialist Srinivas Dempo, among others, were present.Art and culture minister Govind Gaude said that Parrikar’s loss would continue to be felt for a long time.

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