COURTESY TIMES OF INDIA APRIL 29

BJP denies ticket to Parrikar’s son, chooses former MLA
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Panaji:

BJP on Sunday denied ticket to former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar’s son Utpal by announcing the candidature of former MLA Sidharth Kuncalienker for next month’s byelection in Panaji.

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committee announced Kuncalienker’s name just 24 hours before the last day of filing of nominations for the bypoll, which will be held on May 19. Reacting to the development, Utpal said: “Anyone entering electoral politics faces hurdles, especially if one wants to ‘do clean work’. My father faced such hurdles. But the party has taken its decision and I will do whatever is possible to retain the Panaji seat for the party.”

Analysts say quite a few factors favoured Sidharth, who won the Panaji seat twice with full backing of Parrikar. Having worked closely with Parrikar for many years, Sidharth has a better rapport with grassroots workers.

With former Taleigao MLA Atanasio Monserrate contesting on Congress ticket, the party felt the battle was going to be fierce, sources said. Though the party wanted Utpal, doubts were raised whether he would be able to retain the seat which BJP has won since 1994. Besides, lack of consensus in Utpal’s favour left some wondering if all factions in BJP would work tirelessly for his political debut.