Former Goa Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar’s son Utpal Parrikar has started door-to-door campaigning for the upcoming Goa Assembly elections even as the BJP is yet to decide on his candidature. Utpal Parrikar is lobbying for a BJP ticket for the Panaji assembly seat, which his father had represented for more than two decades. But the ruling party has taken a tough stand against him.
This seat is in discussion as BJP’s Goa in-charge Devendra Fadnavis has said that just because an aspirant is Manohar Parrikar or the son of a leader, does not automatically make him eligible for a BJP ticket.
Flexible Utpal Spotted in Panaji On Saturday, he went door-to-door and appealed to the people to vote for him.
When asked about Fadnavis’s remarks, Utpal said in an interview, “I cannot tolerate the kind of politics that is happening in Goa. This is not acceptable to me. Are they suggesting that only the winning criterion (and that) integrity doesn’t matter? Character doesn’t matter? And you are going to give ticket to the person who has criminal history and we have to sit quietly at home?”
The Panaji constituency is currently represented by BJP MLA Atanasio Monserrate, who switched from Congress to BJP in 2019.
Utpal Parrikar insisted that he would not remain silent if the BJP gives the party ticket to sitting MLA Atanasio Monserrate for the Panaji constituency.
Utpal is making it a point to highlight clean politics as Monserrate, a former Congressman is facing several cases including riots and rape in 2008. Monserrate is also in the race for BJP ticket from Panaji.
Utpal Parrikar said that BJP leaders from Panaji assembly constituency, who earlier worked with his father, are currently supporting him in his campaign.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday that his party would welcome Utpal Parrikar if he wanted to join it. Kejriwal said, ‘I respect Manohar Parrikar. If his son wants to join AAP, he is most welcome.
Local resident Sunila Sardesai said, “We want Parrikar’s clean politics and legacy. I will vote for Utpal in whichever party he contests from. The Resident Society is supporting him as they want an educated person to represent him.” “
Singer and social activist Hema Sardesai said, “I have got an offer to contest from TMC as an independent candidate and other parties are ready to support. But if Utpal is contesting then I have no need to contest. He is the face that Panjim needs.”
Assembly elections in Goa are to be held on February 14.
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