'Na Mo' means salute to God: Goa CM Manohar Parrikar

Panaji: Faced with taunts by opposition benches that he was busy chanting 'Na Mo', Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the term means 'namaskar' to God in Hindu religion.

"You must not be knowing. 'Na Mo' refers to God in Hindu religion. It means 'namaskar' to God," Parrikar said on the floor of the House during Question Hour.

The chief minister was responding to the taunts by Congress legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, who claimed Parrikar was busy chanting 'Na Mo' - usually referred to BJP's prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi - and hence there are fears that Goa might be merged with Gujarat.

"Na Mo' is usually 'namaskar' to Lord Krishna," Parrikar said.

"But in this context (Lok Sabha elections), we are doing final namaskar to Congress," he quipped.

The Gujarat reference was made in the House after Lourenco questioned why candidates for police sub-inspector's post were sent to that state for training, as against the conventional practice of sending them to Nasik (Maharashtra).