TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The rift within the BJP surfaced after the Zilla Panchayat results came in, with Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza claiming that the ZP results would have been different if Manohar Parrikar was in Goa. However, within hours Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar shot back saying ‘Parrikar was very much in Goa during the ZP campaign’.
“Parrikar was here in Goa for ZP campaign,” Parsekar said when asked about Deputy Chief Minister’s statement. “I have no idea what he said. Those are his personal comments. I would not like to say anything but Parrikar was here,” he added.
Parsekar, however, did not react, when media persons pointed out to him that D’Souza actually meant to say that if Parrikar was in Goa as Chief Minister. D’Souza had staked claim for the post of CM as a natural successor, after the exit of Parrikar from Goa.
D’Souza even said the party should examine the reasons for the alliance’s ‘not-so-good’ performance.
