New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Atanasio Monserrate, who bagged the prestigious Panaji seat by defeating former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar’s son Utpal Parrikar, on Thursday looked disappointed with the results stating he fought both the saffron party and the Congress.
Monserrate said the BJP cadre did not work for him but the Opposition candidate.
“Disappointed as far as results are concerned. The BJP cadre didn't work for me but for the Opposition candidate. I fought the BJP and Congress,” Monserrate said, ANI reported.
“It’s due to the support of a few workers and supporters that we managed to retain the seat,” he added.
Monserrate further said he feels the BJP cadre hasn't accepted him into the party.
“I look at it in that way. If he (Utpal Parrikar) can get so many votes, it's just because the cadre shifted their votes to him. The BJP leadership here didn't manage to do damage control,” he added.
Monserrate defeated Parrikar, who contested as an independent, by a margin of just 800 votes.
Meanwhile, the BJP is set to form the government in the coastal state for the third consecutive time.
The BJP, as per the latest trends in leading in 18 assembly seats.
The BJP, which has emerged as the single largest party in Goa, is likely to take claim to form the next government.
The Congress-led alliance is leading in 11 seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is ahead in just two seats.
Voting for the 40-member Goa Assembly was held in a sdingle phase on February 14.
Earlier in 2017, the BJP had formed the government in Goa with the support of some regional outfits and independents.