Ahead of the assembly elections slated to be held in Goa, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiv Sena are playing their dirty brand of politics once again by using the name of departed former Chief Minister of Goa and Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Reportedly, BJP released the list of candidates for the election, and Manohar Parrikar’s elder son Utpal Parrikar was not picked to fight from the Panaji seat – his father’s old constituency.
The opposition quickly seized the initiative and claimed that BJP was diminishing the legacy of Manohar Parrikar by ousting his son. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to show his fake sympathy and tried to lure Utpal by tweeting, “Goans feel v sad that BJP has adopted use and throw policy even with Parrikar family. I have always respected Manohar Parrikar ji. Utpal ji is welcome to join and fight elections on AAP ticket.”
Goans feel v sad that BJP has adopted use and throw policy even with Parrikar family. I have always respected Manohar Parrikar ji. Utpal ji is welcome to join and fight elections on AAP ticket. https://t.co/MBY8tMkPP7
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 20, 2022
Come to our party: Shiv Sena
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said, “It’s up to Utpal 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.”
Similarly, Arvind Sawant whilst talking to Times Now remarked that his party will provide full support to Utpal and he is welcome to join the party. “We will ensure Utpal wins Goa elections,” said Sawant.
BJP not nepotistic enough: Opposition
The comments by the opposition showed that they were inadvertently reprimanding BJP for not being ‘nepotistic’ enough. Even though Utpal is the son of a former CM and Defence Minister, he still needs to create his separate political identity. The party ticket to a crucial assembly seat is a serious business that cannot be dictated by swayed emotions of nepotism.
It is pertinent to note that sitting MLA Atanasio Monserrate, who left the Congress to join the BJP in 2019 has been allowed to retain his seat by the saffron party as his work has largely been commendable.
When asked about the grievance of Utpal Parrikar over his candidature, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said, “Late CM Manohar Parrikar’s family is part of our family. We offered him (Utpal) alternatives, he has refused the first one. Talks are on with him. We feel he should agree.”
AAP levelled bogus allegations against Parrikar
Meanwhile, the netizens were quick to remind AAP and Kejriwal that when Manohar Parrikar was battling with his health and still attending the parliament, it was the Delhi CM that continuously levelled false allegations against him.
Reported extensively by TFI, Kejriwal, based on insinuations had repeatedly claimed that Parrikar was involved in the non-existent Rafale scam.
In 2016, Kejriwal had demanded a CBI inquiry against CM Parrikar over an alleged Rs. 35,000 crore illegal mining scam. While addressing a rally in Goa, Kejriwal had claimed, “Parrikar cheated you because he promised action against those involved in Goa’s Rs.35,000 crore illegal mining scam, but failed to deliver.”
Will EC dare take action against Manohar Parrikar?
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 30, 2017
Read More: Manohar Parrikar – The man who served Goa till his last breath
AAP and Shiv Sena, despite being in the political arena for a long, still do not have a cohesive political ideology. The‘ use and throw’ policy stated by Kejriwal in his tweets is an apt description of his party.
As for Shiv Sena, the party, once regarded as the face of Hindutva politics has now turned into a full-blown secular party. As for nepotism, the top two posts in Maharashtra are usurped by a certain family, having the Thackeray surname, need we say more about why they are batting for nepotism in BJP.