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Panaji: Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister of India Manohar Parrikar died at his private residence around 6.40 pm Sunday.

The towering BJP leader was diagnosed with a pancreatic ailment. He had been on life support system since late Saturday night.

Parrikar was 63. He is survived by two sons and their families.

The top BJP leader was ailing fir about a year. His condition deteriorated over the past two days.

President Ram Nath Kovind described Parrikar as “an epitome of integrity and dedication in public life, his service to the people of Goa and India will not be forgotten,” the President tweeted from his official handle.

Parrikar had been unwell since February 2018 when he was diagnosed with a pancreatic ailment.

The Union Minister for Defence Manohar Parrikar when he visited the Headquarters of Western Naval Command in Mumbai in April, 2015. [Representative photo]