Sanjay Raut urges non-BJP parties to support Utpal Parrikar on Panaji seat

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday, January 17, appealed in a tweet to all non-BJP parties to lend support to Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar if he contests next month's 2022 Goa Assembly election as an independent from Panaji seat.

"If Utpal Parrikar contests Independent from Panaji seat, I propose all non-BJP parties including Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, Trinamool Congress and Goa Forward Party should support his candidature and not field a candidate against him. This will be a true tribute to ManoharBhai!," Sanjay Raut tweeted.

Utpal Parrikar, who has been eyeing a ticket from Panaji, is getting cold shoulders from BJP leadership. Last week, Goa BJP election in-charge Devendra Fadnavis had said Utpal will get the party's ticket from Panaji just because he is the son of Manohar Parrikar.

Reacting to Fadnavis's comment, Junior Parrikar hit out at BJP said he would not accept his father's seat going to someone with a criminal record.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena and NCP have decided to contest the upcoming election together and there be a meeting on January 18 to decide the seat-sharing arrangement in the state.