Shiv Sena Fields Veteran RSS Leader’s Son From Panaji, To Withdraw If Utpal Parrikar Contests As Independent

BJP had fielded Atanasio Monserrate ‘Babush’ from Panaji, a seat held by Manohar Parrikar for almost 25 years. The party contended that it could not deny ticket to the sitting MLA.

New Delhi: Shailendra Subhash Velingkar, son of former RSS Goa unit leader Subhash Velingkar, on Friday joined Shiv Sena. 

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut declared a list of 9 candidates wherein it was revealed that Shailendra Velingkar will contest from Panaji.

Shailendra’s father Subhash Velingkar was an important figure in the RSS as Goa Prant of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was formed under his leadership.

According to the list of nine candidates released by Shiv Sena, Subhash Kerkar will contest Goa assembly election from Pernem, Jitesh J. Kamat from Mapusa, Vincent Pereira from Siolim, Govind Govekar from Aldona.

The party has fielded Shailendra Velingkar from Panaji, Gurudas Gaonkar from Poriem, Devidas Gaonkar from Valpoi, Maruti Shirgaonkar from Vasco Da Gama, and Aleixy Fernandes from Quepem.

Shiv Sena To Withdraw Panaji Candidate If Utpal Parrikar Contests As Independent: Sanjay Raut 

After Arvind Kejriwal invited Utpal Parrikar to join AAP, Shiv Sena has also extended support to former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s son. Sanjay Raut said that if Utpal Parrikar decides to contest as an independent candidate from Panaji, Shiv Sena will withdraw its candidate from Panaji in his support.

However, Shiv Sena has put up a condition that Utpal will have to commit that he will not join or support BJP if he wins.

This comes as Utpal Parrikar on Friday told news agency ANI that he will hold a press conference today to announce his decision on Goa Assembly polls 2022.

BJP had fielded Atanasio Monserrate ‘Babush’ from Panaji, a seat held by Manohar Parrikar for almost 25 years. The party contended that it could not deny ticket to the sitting MLA.

Meanwhile, on the row over ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’, Sanjay Raut refused to comment stating that Shiv Sena has not taken any final stand on the issue. If the intention of the government is to honour the ‘Jyoti’ then it is a good thing, he said.

Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) had decided to contest the upcoming Goa Assembly election together in alliance. Goa election is set to be held in a single phase on February 14. The counting of votes will be held on March 10.

(With Inputs By Mukesh)