The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has finally released the first list of candidates for the Goa Assembly Election 2022 on January 20 after postponing it on January 19. There are names of 34 candidates in this list, but one name, about which there is a lot of discussion in the political circles of Goa, is not in this list and this name is late Manohar Parrikar, former Chief Minister of the state and former Defense Minister of the country. Utpal Parrikar’s son. Utpal put his claim to the Panaji seat in front of the party and demanded a ticket, but the party did not give him a ticket from here.
Manohar Parrikar had represented the Panaji assembly seat for more than two decades and in the desire to carry forward this legacy, Utpal Parrikar demanded a ticket from this seat in front of the party.
The party’s Goa in-charge Devendra Fadnavis and other big leaders released their first list for the state at the BJP headquarters in Delhi. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on denial of ticket to Utpal Parrikar: The sitting MLA from Panjim has been given ticket. Utpal Parrikar and his family are our family too. We gave him two seats options to contest the elections. But they didn’t agree before and other options are being discussed together. We think they should agree.”
Punjab Election 2022: In Punjab, AAP’s chief ministerial candidate Bhagwant Mann Dhuri will contest the assembly elections.
In this media briefing, Fadnavis said, “Bharatiya Janata Party has given stability in Goa and BJP is doing the work of fulfilling the dream of a golden Goa which our Manohar Parrikar ji had seen there today.” But the party’s move may have disappointed Parrikar’s supporters.
At the same time, the question may also arise whether BJP does not need the support of his son Utpal Parrikar to fulfill Manohar Parrikar’s dream of ‘Golden Goa’?
On the other hand, a challenge before the party may also be that after giving ticket to Utpal Parrikar, he may not have to face the allegations of familyism. However, this is hardly expected, as the people of Goa still have the same love and respect for Parrikar as it was before.
Not giving ticket to Utpal Parrikar is not surprising as BJP had already indicated that he would not be given ticket.
‘Someone is the son of a former CM, so he is not a ticket contender’
It was only in the past, when Devendra Fadnavis had said that the party will not give ticket to anyone just because someone is the son of a former CM. Fadnavis had then said, “Just because someone is Manohar Parrikar or the son of a leader, he doesn’t qualify for a BJP ticket just because he is.”
On the other hand, even before the BJP’s list came out, Utpal Parrikar had started campaigning for himself in Panaji. He also did a door-to-door campaign for himself in his capital.
I will not sit quietly: Utpal Parrikar
To this statement of Fadnavis, Utpal Parrikar had replied, “The kind of politics that is happening in Goa, I cannot tolerate it. I do not approve of it. Are they suggesting that only ability to win is the criterion? “Integrity doesn’t matter. Character doesn’t matter. And you’re going to give a ticket to someone who has a criminal history and we have to sit home quietly?”
“If BJP gives party ticket to sitting MLA Atanasio Monserrate for Panaji constituency, he will not sit quietly,” he said in a scathing tone.
Let us inform that at present there is BJP’s Atanasio Monserrate MLA in Panaji seat, who joined BJP from Congress in 2019. Utpal mentions Monserrate’s criminal history because Monserrate is facing several cases, including the 2008 riots and rape.
There are also speculations that the old BJP leaders wanted the descendants of the former Chief Minister to enter the election fray. On the other hand, Atanasio Monserrate is seen as the ‘trump card’ in four to five seats in Tiswadi, including his wife in Taleigao.
All parties should support Utpal – Sanjay Raut
At the same time, the opposition is also leaving no stone unturned to take advantage of this difficult time of BJP. Recently Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut advised non-BJP parties to support Utpal.
In a tweet, Raut said, “Manohar Parrikar contributed to the development of Goa, but after his death his family faced humiliation. His son Utpal Parrikar should be given ticket from Panaji. Every political party contesting the elections.” should support them and bring them to power.”
Its national convener Arvind Kejriwal said, “I respect Manohar Parrikar. If anyone is interested in joining the Aam Aadmi Party, he is most welcome.”
However, Congress has not clarified anything on its side yet. Digambar Kamat, former Chief Minister of the state and senior leader, said in an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol Hindi, “Whatever decision will be taken regarding Utpal Parrikar, it will be from the party high command, so I cannot say anything on this right now.”
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