PANAJI
The iconic Mahalaxmi temple in Panaji played host to two BJP factions warring over former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar's legacy on Thursday, with Parrikar's son Utpal and BJP's official candidate Atanasio alias Babush Monserrate seeking the diety's blessings for their respective campaigns for the February 14 assembly polls.
The first to land at the temple, which has served as an invariable backdrop for Parrikar's numerous election campaigns, was Monserrate, along with State BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade.
Monserrate fired a direct salvo at Utpal, flinging the loaded 'dynast' card at the Parrikar scion, claiming that monarchy had no place in a democracy.
"Legacy is not a monarchy. That father is there (first) after that the son will come. It is a democracy. Everyone has got to go for elections," Monserrate told reporters near the Mahalaxmi temple.
However, while attacking Utpal, the sitting Panaji MLA also ironically spelt out how the rest of the Monserrate clan are well placed in political offices.
"My wife is an MLA from Taleigao. She was not nominated. Basically, everyone contested. My son is a mayor, he also contested. It is up to the wish of the people. That is the reason we are here," he said.
He also shied away from any comparison with Parrikar but added firmly that now that Parrikar was no longer around, his time as the representative of Panaji had arrived.
"In 2019 I won the election... Even when Mr Parrikar was there. You cannot compare Parrikar to me. Parrikar was a leader of a different class. But I used to always say, after Parrikar it is me... This election people will judge Babush as a person," Monserrate said, adding that he would try to visit every house of Panaji as part of his election campaign.
Tanavade, who accompanied Monserrate to the temple, also refused to even mention Utpal's name, saying the BJP's official symbol, the lotus, would bloom in Panaji.
"We do not have any worries about Panaji. If there is an election tomorrow we will win. BJP's symbol is the lotus on which Babush is contesting. Since he is contesting on a lotus symbol, there is no problem. I have stopped taking names. The BJP lotus will win," Tanavade said.
Less than an hour later, the Mahalaxmi temple had another visitor. This time it was Utpal Parrikar, who had reached the temple precincts with his band of supporters, many of whom included disgruntled BJP workers from the city, who appear to have thrown their weight behind him.
Utpal was less forthcoming in his commentary of events leading to the current pass, which has virtually split the BJP base in the State capital.
"I came to the temple to take blessings, I hope and have confidence that the people of Panaji will also give me their blessings," Utpal said.
When asked about the performance of the sitting MLA Monserrate over the last five years, Utpal dodged the query.
"I will not talk about it, but my father had worked in Panaji I want to follow his steps. I will give 200 per cent hard work. This is what I want to tell the people of Panaji," Utpal said.
The election campaign in Panaji is lined up to be a promising one, especially in wake of Monserrate, who has served as both, an opponent as well as a canny ally for Utpal's father's election campaigns in the past, now enjoying the backing of the BJP's poll machinery, versus Utpal, Parrikar's son, for whom this campaign could serve an opportunity to become recognised as his own man.
