PANAJI
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said if the BJP were to deny a party ticket to Utpal Parrikar, son of former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar, then all parties should keep aside their differences and come together to support Utpal if he were to contest as an independent.
Utpal Parrikar, who is in his father's party BJP, is reportedly upset over hints that the party plans to field former minister Atanasio "Babush" Monserrate from Panaji, the seat held by Manohar Parrikar for 25 years. He has talked about contesting as an independent candidate, if it comes to that.
"The BJP has to give a ticket to Utpal as there is pressure from all sides for his candidature. Leaders in Delhi are considering his name and I am sure BJP will give a ticket to Utpal.”
“However, should the BJP deny a ticket to Utpal and if he decides to contest as an independent candidate, then all parties should come together and keep aside their differences to support Utpal,” said Raut, while speaking to media persons in Mumbai.
Last week, Utpal Parrikar hit out at the BJP leadership in Goa and said he would not accept his father's seat going to someone with a criminal record.
"The kind of politics that is happening in Goa, I cannot tolerate it. It is not acceptable to me. Are they suggesting that only winnability is the criteria (and that) integrity doesn't matter? Character doesn't matter? And you are going to give the ticket to a person who has criminal antecedents and we have to sit home quietly?" Utpal Parrikar told reporters.
The BJP is expected to announce its candidates on January 19 and Utpal has already started campaigning in Panaji after demanding a ticket from the BJP. BJP’s Panaji MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate is also an aspirant to the party ticket in Panaji constituency.
