Parrikar remains confident Kovind will get maximum support from Goa

Churchill says he will support, but waiting for his party’s take rrthe goan I networkrVASCO rrKovind arrived at the Dabolim airport at 3 pm and was welcomed by CM Manohar Parrikar, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho, State BJP President Vinay Tendulkar and other senior leaders. rFrom the airport, the action moved to Bogmalo where Kovind interacted with the BJP MLAs, Goa Forward MLAs, MGP MLAs, all three independent MLAs and NCP MLA Churchill Alemao for about 40 minutes.rIncidentally, Mormugao’s BJP MLA Milind Naik did not attend the meeting. rSpeaking to the media after the meeting, Parrikar said Kovind is fully aware of the importance of big and small states, which is why he was visiting Goa. rParrikar further said this was for the first time that a presidential candidate had visited the State and expressed confidence that Kovind would get maximum support from Goa. rAsked to comment on Churchill’s presence at the meeting, Parrikar said: “He had come to attend and listen to what the presidential candidate had to say.” rTo another query on whether Churchill would support the NDA candidate, Parrikar replied: “I request all 38 MLAs to vote for Kovind. The president is always above political parties.” “The BJP and NDA have always given importance to Goa and that is why Goa is always lucky for the BJP and NDA.” rWhen media persons questioned Churchill on whether he was supporting the NDA’s presidential candidate, he replied: “Yes, I would like to support him, but I am waiting for my party’s decision. I will, however, abide by my party’s decision.” Gadkari was confident that Kovind will the presidential election.