Team Herald
PANJIM: Days after announcing, former MLA Sidharth Kuncalienker as the BJP candidate for the upcoming Panjim by-election, a senior party leader has admitted that ‘family raj’ may have been one of the reasons why Utpal Parrikar, son of ex-Chief Minister (late) Manohar Parrikar, was denied the ticket.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho pointed out that Congress, Goa Suraksha Manch and news reports were responsible for influencing the decision making of BJP’s high command, which chose the two-time MLA Sidharth Kuncalienker over Utpal Parrikar. “The Opposition and the GSM spoke a lot about the family raj topic. The press was also questioning the same. Although the high command (BJP Central Committee) decided the by-poll candidate in their wisdom, this factor (about family raj) could have influenced their decision. Nevertheless we are a party with a difference,” he said in reply to a question at a press conference on Thursday. Godinho, who was accompanied by BJP General Secretary Sadanand Shet Tanawde, also said that Sidharth and Utpal were equal contenders for the party ticket. He also clarified that denying ticket to Utpal did not mean he is not a fit candidate.
“He (Utpal) was as much a fit candidate as Sidharth. Both were equal contenders,” he said, as he began his media address; where he spoke about the achievements of the NDA government at the Centre and the BJP-led coalition in the State. “The decision for selecting the candidate was left up to the High Command. The local leadership had recommended both the names.”
He also said that BJP is likely to face the impact of contesting the Panjim by-election without having (late) Manohar Parrikar amongst them. “But despite having such a setback, I am confident that BJP workers, party’s legislative wing and the leaders will pull victory for the party,” he added.
It may be recalled that there was widespread speculation that Utpal would be given a ticket but the party chose Kuncalienker. Utpal had then said that his father never wanted him to join politics and that he was not disheartened. “Bhai (Parrikar) did not want me to come into politics. This cannot be termed as family raj. Now my father is not there. I am an independent person. I have my independent identity. There is no need to be disheartened. I will work for the party,” Utpal had said.
The party once again took a dig at the Congress candidate Atanasio Monserrate over the criminal cases against him. Godinho even termed Monserrate’s attitude as ‘arrogance’ claiming such a leader is not wanted for Panjim. “There is a lot of difference between the BJP and Congress candidates,” he said.
