Goa: "BJP Has Taken Different Direction," Parrikar's Son Reacts To Defection Of 10 Congress MLAs

Utpal Parrikar was a contender for BJP ticket for by-election after a seat became vacant post the demise of Manohar Parrikar. However, BJP did not field him.

New Delhi: Utpal Parrikar, son of late Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, on Wednesday responded sharply to the ten MLAs of Congress joining the BJP, stating that the Congress party has taken a different direction after the demise of his father. "The party has taken a different direction after March 17 (the day Parrikar died) and only time will tell whether it is the right one”, he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. He also stated that words like trust and commitment which were at the core of the BJP during Manohar Parrikar's time ceased to exist when he passed away. It is to be noted that Utpal Parrikar was contender for BJP ticket for by-election after a seat became vacant post the demise of Manohar Parrikar. However, BJP did not field him and Congress candidate Atanasio Monswrratte won the seat in the by-poll held in the month of May. Parrikar’s son said he would continue to be in the BJP and support the veteran party workers, he said. Monserratte was amongst the ten Congress MLAs who joined the BJP Wednesday evening. A group of ten Congress MLAs in Goa led by Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Chandrakant Kavlekar Wednesday merged with the ruling BJP, increasing the saffron party's strength to 27 in the 40-seat house. The Congress, which had emerged as single-largest party after 2017 Assembly polls in the coastal state, is now reduced to five legislators.