MAPUSA
He may have voiced his displeasure with the BJP, but former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar pledged his support to both BJP candidates, Shripad Naik and Pallavi Dempo and called upon Goans to elect BJP candidates to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a news conference in Mapusa on Saturday, Parsekar admitted that he had been sidelined by the BJP despite his contribution in the formation of the party in the State.
“The BJP government has implemented many landmark projects in Goa. But Manohar Parrikar and Pramod Sawant are the only two chief ministers being mentioned by the BJP, and it is unfortunate that my name is not being mentioned,” said Parsekar.
“Important development projects like the Mopa Airport, Super Speciality Block in GMC Hospital, the Tuem Electronic City, Atal Setu, Zuari and Galgibaga bridges and widening of the National Highway were all projects approved during my tenure as chief minister and this should be acknowledged.”
Parsekar admitted that he had distanced himself from BJP since 2017. “Then I was denied the party ticket and this anger stayed in my heart. In 2022, I broke away from the BJP and contested the assembly elections as an independent candidate,” said Parsekar.
The former chief minister stated that BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade he met him at night a few days ago. “We had a discussion in connection with the Lok Sabha elections. But I did not get any proposal that day to support BJP. But Tanavade later made a statement that I should explain my position to the media. That is why I am making my stand public,” said Parsekar.
“Adv Ramakant Khalap is my good friend, but I want the country to led by Prime minister Narendra Modi a third time and we can do this by electing Shripad Naik and Pallavi Dempo.”
