Sanjay Raut  |  Photo Credit: ANI
New Delhi: After Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiv Sena has come out in support of Utpal Parrikar, son of former Goa chief minister late Manohar Parrikar.
This comes after Utpal’s name did not figure in the BJP’s list of 34 candidates for the upcoming state assembly polls announced on Thursday.
Talking to ANI, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that the party will support him if he contests elections independently.
“It is up to Utapal Parrikar whether to contest the Goa Assembly elections or not. His family has a huge contribution in establishing BJP in Goa. We will support him if he contests elections independently,” he said.
Raut also urged all non-BJP parties including AAP, Congress, TMC and Goa Forward Party to support Utpal Parrikar’s candidature and not field a candidate against him if he decides to contest polls saying it will be a true tribute to Manohar Parrikar.
Utpal Parrikar has been at loggerheads with the BJP leadership over his demand for a ticket for the Panaji state assembly seat, which his father represented since 1994.
Earlier, former Maharashtra CM and BJP’s Goa in-charge for the assembly polls Devendra Fadnavis had said that being Parrikar’s son cannot be the only credential to demand a ticket from the BJP.