PANJIM: Utpal Parrikar, the son of former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar on Sunday said the BJP will introspect its defeat in the Panjim by-poll and at the same time will have to ensure that the seat comes back to the party in the next election.
After ruling the constituency for nearly two-and-half decades, BJP lost the Panjim seat to Congress’ Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate during the recently held by-election. BJP candidate Sidharth Kuncalienker was defeated. This is the only seat out of the four by-elections that BJP failed to win.
Utpal was amongst the two names along with Kuncalienker that were shortlisted for BJP ticket for by-election, which was necessitated due to death of Manohar Parrikar.
“Party’s State leaders and the workers will introspect on the results and will ensure that we win the Panjim seat the next election,” said Utpal, who had campaigned during the by-election.
Utpal said that he will give his inputs about the election results to the party leaders, as and when, there is discussion on it.
“The party will go through internal assessment and do the necessary correction which is required,” he said adding, “I will work with the karyakartas to get back people’s confidence in the party.”
When asked whether he would have managed to retain the seat, if he was given a ticket, Utpal said, “I don’t think we will achieve anything by speaking about the past.”
Utpal is also likely to meet party’s State leadership soon to decide on his role in Panjim and State politics overall.
Post BJP losing out the seat, the Panjim mandal leaders were of the opinion that only Utpal can help to review the situation in the constituency.
Parrikar, who was suffering from pancreatic ailment for one year, passed away on March 17, 2019. The former CM had ruled Panjim seat since 1994, when he was elected as MLA for the very first time.
