'Manohar Parrikar never brought kin into politics': BJP derides oppn's support for his son

Amid growing support among opposition for candidature of Mahar Parrikar's son Utpal in Goa elections, BJP questioned its hypocritical stance on ex-Goa CM. Speaking to media on Monday, BJP's Goa in-charge CT Ravi stressed that Parrikar had never introduced his family members into politics despite playing a key role in strengning party's state unit. Training guns at opposition, he questioned criticism of AAP and Congress of late BJP stalwart when he was ailing in his final months. 

BJP leader CT Ravi remarked, "BJP became strong in Goa due to hard work of Mahar Parrikar. Mahar Ji always dreamt of strengning party furr. He worked towards this goal throughout his life. He believed that BJP is only party that can ensure development in Goa. party always remembers Mahar Parrikar Ji due to his contribution. Mahar Parrikar Ji never brought his family to politics."

"AAP, Shiv Sena, TMC and Congress are talking about (supporting) Utpal Parrikar today. But did Congress ever help Mahar Parrikar Ji? Have we forgotten what statements Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi made about Parrikar when he was ailing? people of Goa have t forgotten Arvind Kejriwal's statement during that time," he added.

Row over Utpal Parrikar's political entry

After untimely death of his far in 2019, Utpal Parrikar had made public his desire to contest subsequent by-election in Panaji. However, BJP gave ticket to Sidharth Kuncalienker and ended up losing to Congress for first time since 1994. Ironically, winning Congress candidate Atanasio Monserrate switched allegiance to BJP along with 9 or party colleagues just a few months later. For upcoming Goa elections, former Defence Minister's son has threatened to contest as an Independent candidate if BJP does t give him a ticket.

However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly tried to dissuade him from doing so during a one-to-one meeting on January 11. Two days earlier, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal made it clear that Utpal Parrikar was welcome to join AAP. Similarly, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut told media, "All of us will stand with him. If he decides to contest as an independent candidate from Panaji seat, I propose all n-BJP parties to support his candidature and t field a candidate against him". However, TMC and Congress are yet to clarify ir position on backing candidature of Mahar Parrikar's son.