Manohar Parrikar's son not on BJP's list of 34 candidates in Goa

Vibha Sharma

New Delhi, January 20

The BJP has fielded Atanasio Monserrate “Babush” from Panaji, the constituency of late Manohar Parrikar from where his son Utpal Parrikar was seeking a ticket in the Assembly elections to Goa.

“Utpal was given two other options, one of which he refused,” former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said announcing a list of 34 candidates for the 40-member Assembly. “He should take the other option, this is my opinion,” Fadnavis said, asserting that a sitting MLA has been fielded.

“Parrikar’s family is like BJP family and the party has all respect for the late leader,” he added. Utpal, who confirmed, the BJP had offered him the Bicholim seat as a compromise, is said to have decided to not take the offer.

Meanwhile, amid speculations that Parrikar’s son may contest as an Independent, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal offered him his party’s ticket slamming the BJP for its “use and throw” policy.

Fadnavis said the BJP would contest all 40 seats on its own. A controversial personality, Monserrate was one of the 10 members of the Congress who joined the BJP in July 2019. He has also been accused of raping a minor.

The list also includes his wife Jennifer from Teleigao. Fadnavis defended her candidature saying she was a sitting MLA and had joined the BJP along with her husband.