the goan I network
PANAJI
Hours after he learnt he had lost out to his late father’s aide Siddharth Kuncalienkar in the race for the Panjim bypoll ticket, Utpal Parrikar did not hide the sarcasm of a taunt at BJP state leaders, including State Organising Secretary Satish Dhond and State president Vinay Tendulkar.
“I congratulate Satish Dhond and Party President Vinay Tendulkar for finally nominating a candidate before time expired,” Utpal said when the media sought his immediate reaction.
He also repeated the sarcastic congratulatory comment for Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
“I congratulate the CM as he has intervened, held a late-night meeting, removed the impasse and gave us a candidate in time,” Utpal said.
Utpal also said, he would do whatever is required and campaign according to the party’s needs for Kuncalienkar to ensure that the seat his father represented for almost a quarter of a century is retained by the party.
“My priority now has become the retention of this seat, because it’s a very prestigious seat. It’s my father’s seat. Last 25 years people of Panjim have blessed him. Whatever needs to be done we will do to retain the seat,”
he added.
“My father did not want his sons to be in politics so he never promoted dynasty in politics. Also, he was of the opinion that good persons should enter into politics. My father is no more. I am an independent person. So, I, in my wisdom decided to enter politics to carry forward his work,” he said.Stating that one is bound to face hurdles in politics, Utpal further said: “This (not getting the ticket) is perhaps my first hurdle in politics.”
Kuncalienkar meanwhile said the party campaign had already begun with him and Utpal meeting people in the last several days.
“Panjim people have always stood behind us. They will again bless us,” Kuncaliencar said.
