PANAJI
Speaking to media persons, Parrikar said that he will act as if he is the MLA of both Panaji and Curchorem.
“I was thinking only of Panaji, there were some people who said why don’t you contest from Curchorem. For me the full State is my constituency. Any constituency is my constituency. While I stand from Panaji, it does not mean that that constituency will not see development,” Parrikar said. “In conclusion, indirectly, Panaji will have two MLAs and Curchorem will have two MLAs. Just as I will develop Panaji I will also develop Curchorem,” Parrikar said.
When asked whether the constituency of Mapusa, Porvorim or Valpoi had crossed his mind, Parrikar replied in the negative. “I never thought about anything other than Panaji. But there were some offers coming from Curchorem so they had to be told as a matter of respect,” Parrikar said.
Speculation was rife that Parrikar would choose between Curchorem and Panaji with Curchorem being seen as the ‘cowardly move’.
Asked the reason for the delay, Parrikar said it was in order to pass the GST bill.
“Basically, we were waiting for GST bill. When the GST Bill was passed, (we did it) immediately,” Parrikar said.
Sidharth Kuncalienkar had won the Panaji seat defeating Atanasio Monserrate by a margin of more than 1,000 votes, which was much less than the margins that Parrikar used to win. Parrikar admitted as much, but insisted that he would regain his margin.
“It was 8% margin. That is not narrow, but it is not as high as the 25-30% I was getting. I will get that back. I have connect with the people,”
he said.
Parrikar refused to comment on suggestions that he will possibly be up against Taleigao strongman Atanasio Monserrate in the by-
elections.
The elections are expected to be held in September with the date to be announced by the Election Commission of India.
