Goa: Ex-Goa CM Manohar Parrikar's son firm on Panjim seat after BJP refuses ticket

The first list was issued today with the big omission, eliciting Utpal Parrikar's strong reaction, who made it clear it would be Panjim and nothing else for him.

The former BJP stalwart's son has been offered two other options, according to media reports.

BJP's Goa state election in-charge Devendra Fadnavis, however, said that Utpal Parrikar should accept the other options given to him.

“For our party, the Parrikar family is our family. But from the seat that Utpal wanted to contest, we already have a sitting MLA and it would not be fair to drop him," said BJP Goa state election in-charge Devendra Fadnavis while responding to a query about the decision to not field Utpal from Panjim, which was his father's constituency.

“However, we had given him the option of contesting from two other seats and the talks are progressing in that direction," added Fadnavis.

Reacting to his omission, Utpal Parrikar told reporters that he will clear his stand soon.

Media reported that sources close to the Parrikar family have said that contesting elections from Panjim is an emotional and sentimental issue for Utpal and it is certain that he will not accept any other seat.

Goa will go to the assembly polls on 14 February. The counting of votes will take place on 10 March.

In the 2017 Goa polls, Congress had emerged as the single largest party by winning 17 seats in the 40-member House.

However, the BJP had managed to stitch an alliance with some regional outfits and independent legislators to form the government.

BJP had already said the seats will be allotted solely on the basis of merit.

"Manohar Parrikar did a lot of work to establish the BJP in Goa. But nobody gets a ticket in the BJP just because they are the son of Manohar Parrikar or some leader. If they have worked, they are considered," Fadnavis had said.

However, Utpal Parrikar has plenty of offers if he chooses to leave BJP.

One of them is Arvind Kejriwals' AAP which is pumping a lot of energy to emerge as a prominent party in Goa in the upcoming assembly elections.

"Goans feel very sad that BJP has adopted a use-and-throw policy even with the Parrikar family. I have always respected Manohar Parrikar ji. Utpal ji is welcome to join and fight elections on AAP ticket," Kejriwal tweeted, sharing an NDTV report.

BJP's former ally, Shiv Sena, too, has voiced its support in case Utpal Parrikar decides to exit BJP.

Last week, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut had appealed to opposition parties to support Utpal Parrikar if he fell out with the BJP and contested as an independent.

Manohar Parrikar was a three-time Goa Chief Minister and the BJP's top leader in the state. He died while still serving as Defence Minister of India in 2019. He held the Panjim constituency for 25 years.