MAPUSA
Appearing to be defensive, former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday said that he never claimed for a ticket but only expressed his wish to contest the assembly election in 2022.
He also said that more than one claimant for the party ticket was a “healthy sign” and indicated that the party was growing. “I only expressed my wish to contest. I did not claim a ticket. I don’t think there is anything wrong to express your wish to contest. I have full faith in the high command,” Parsekar said.
The former CM was speaking to journalists after attending a meeting of BJP’s core committee with party observer C T Ravi.
Continuing, Parsekar agreed that winnability was of the many criteria which the party used while selecting a candidate for the election.
“Winnability is one of the main criteria. There is no doubt about it. I also was twice president of the party,” he said.
He further said that if there were more claimants for the ticket then it was a positive sign that the party was growing in the State.
“It’s a good sign if two or three people show interest to contest. It’s a healthy sign. It shows that the party is growing,” he said.
Validating his stand on the BJP’s growth in the State, he disclosed how the party could not find candidates when it first decided to contest in the State in 1989.
“When we first decided to fight the election in the State in 1989, we decided to fight in all 40 constituencies. But we could get only 11 candidates and therefore contested in only 11,” he said.
“Now, there are many who are ready to contest. So it shows the party has grown,” he added.
The former chief minister was recently embroiled in a controversy after he reportedly expressed his desire to contest the ensuing assembly elections to some journalists (not The Goan).
“I have been misquoted by the media, last time. Selective reporting is bad and changes the whole meaning if the context on why the statement was made is not revealed. Please don’t do it,” Parsekar said.
