Manohar Parrikar Didn't Want Son In Politics: Rival Babush Monserrate
NDTV
Babush Monserrate's announcement as the BJP candidate from Goa's Panjim triggered a resignation by Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar last week.
Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate, the controversial BJP legislator whose announcement as the party's candidate from Goa's Panjim triggered a resignation by its stalwart Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar, on Tuesday said that he was the more deserving candidate for the seat.
"I am in the BJP for the past 2.5 years. Not one day till now he uttered a word against me or anything against the party. I am sure he waited to see if I would defect and he would get a chance to contest from Panjim," Mr Monserrate said.
"He is free to contest. The people will elect who is best," he said, insisting that he was not worried about Utpal Parrikar contesting from the seat as an independent following his exit from the party last week.
A three-time Goa Chief Minister and the BJP's top leader in the seaside state, Manohar Parrikar died in office in 2019. A charismatic and popular leader, he held the Panaji constituency for 25 years and his son Utpal Parrikar had hoped to contest from the seat this time.
