Team Herald
PANJIM: Two-time MLA from the Panjim constituency, Sidharth Kuncalienker resigned from the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, paving the way for his predecessor, and incumbent Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, to contest the ensuing by-polls from the seat.
Kuncalienker tendered his resignation to Speaker Pramod Sawant at the Goa Assembly Complex. The resignation confirms that Parrikar will contest from his Panjim, a constituency he has represented five times in the past.
Speaking to the media, Kuncalienker said the decision to resign was a small sacrifice in comparison with the big sacrifice Parrikar made by quitting from the Union cabinet as Defence Minister to return as Chief Minister of Goa. “When he (Parrikar) came back to Goa, giving up the portfolio as the country’s Defence Minister that was a major sacrifice. He did this to give a stable government in Goa. When he can sacrifice the union cabinet, I am just a simple BJP karyakarta,” he said.
Kuncalienker was among six MLAs including Michael Lobo, Nilesh Cabral, Carlos Almeida, Rajesh Patnekar and Pravin Zantye who had offered to vacate their seats for Parrikar. “Whatever decision the party takes, is for the good of their karyakartas. I was lucky to be chosen to contest the by-poll in 2015 and the 2017 elections,” he said, when asked whether it was an emotional decision to step down as MLA.
In an interesting observation, he grinned and said Panjimites are lucky to get a ‘readymade CM’ which will help boost development.
Sawant said that Kuncalienker’s resignation will be processed and the letter does not mention any reason for quitting the membership of the House.
Kuncalienker thanked Panjim voters and apologised if he did not live up to their expectations. “I tried to deliver my best during my term from 2015 till date,” he added.
Parrikar had resigned as Defence Minister on March 13 to take over as Goa’s CM the following day. He has, however, not yet quit as Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh.
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It is party’s decision, not Parrikar’s, says BJP Prez
PANJIM: Though Sidharth Kuncalienker had offered to vacate the Panjim constituency for Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a final call only late Tuesday night.
“It was party’s decision to ask Kuncalienker to resign as Panjim MLA. CM has always been contesting from this seat and winning. He has been elected five times earlier and we are confident of his win this time as well,” BJP President Vinay Tendulkar said. The party had earlier been toying up with the idea of Curchorem as an option.
Tendulkar, along with party General Secretary Sadanand Tanawade was present when Kuncalienker tendered his resignation Wednesday afternoon.
Asked whether it was Parrikar’s choice to contest from Panjim, Tendulkar said, “Parrikar never takes such decisions. He always leaves it for the party to decide. Taking into view many factors and demands from party workers, Panjim was chosen for Parrikar.”
