Spelling fresh trouble for BJP in Goa just weeks ahead of elections, son of late Manohar Parrikar quit the party.
Addressing a press conference after days of closed-door negotiations and rumours, Utpal Parrikar said that he would contest from Panaji as an independent candidate.
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Parrikar junior was involved in a tussle with the BJP leadership over selection of candidate for the constituency represented by his father for around 25 years. "I tried my best even during last election, and this election, to convince my party (BJP) that I enjoy support of general population of Panaji," he said.
The ruling party has decided to fielding sitting MLA Atanasio Monserrate from the seat. He had won the Panaji bypoll after Manohar Parrikar's death in 2019. Monserrate was a part of the group of 10 Congress legislators who had defected to the BJP in 2019.
Utpal Parrikar rejected overtures from parties like Aam Aadmi party by clarifying that the only two options for him were staying in the BJP or contesting as an independent.