Panaji: The BJP on Thursday announced names of 34 candidates for Goa Assembly elections, fielding Chief Minister Pramod Sawant from Sanquelim and Deputy CM Manohar Ajgaonkar from Margaon. Notably, Utpal Parrikar, son of late Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s name is not on the list. The elections for the 40-member Goa Assembly will be held in single phase on February 14. With the entry of the AAP and TMC in the poll arena, the election is expected to be a multi-cornered one this time.
Addressing the media, BJP election in-charge for Goa Devendra Fadnavis said that Utpal Parrikar – son of late Goa CM Manohar Parrikar – was given two options. While he rejected the first one, the second option was being discussed, he added. “Sitting MLA has been given ticket from Panjim…Utpal Parrikar and his family are our family. We gave two more options to him but he rejected first one, second option being discussed with him. We feel that he should agree,” Fadnavis said.
Soon after, Arvind Kejriwal welcomed Utpal Parrikar to join the Aam Admi Party to contest the Goa election. Kejriwal made his offer publicly – he tweeted a media report which explained that Parrikar has not been allowed to run from his current party, the BJP, as the candidate from Panjim, which was his father’s constituency.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest India News on India.com.
