Arvind Kejriwal's offer comes days after Shiv Sena said Utpal Parrikar is a deserving candidate
Arvind Kejriwal today said that Utpal Parrikar, the son of former chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, is welcome to join the Aam Admi Party to contest the Goa election.
"Utpal ji is welcome to join and fight elections on AAP ticket," read Arvind Kejriwal's public offer to Utpal Parrikar. Mr Kejriwal also tweeted an NDTV report which explained that Mr Parrikar has not been allowed to run from his current party, the BJP, as the candidate from Panjim, which was his father's constituency.
The Delhi Chief Minister, who is hoping to make a mark in the coastal state with the elections, accused the BJP of having "adopted use and throw policy even with the Parrikar family".
The Panjim constituency has been assigned to controversial MLA Atanasio "Babush" Monserrate. He was accused of raping a teenager in 2016. Manohar Parrikar, who died in March 2019, had represented Panjim for over two decades.
Talking to reporters in Goa today, Utpal Parrikar said, "I will clear my stand soon."
Arvind Kejriwal's offer comes days after the Shiv Sena, BJP's ally-turned-rival, said that Utpal Parrikar is a deserving candidate.
"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 Manohar Bhai!" Sena MP Sanjay Raut had tweeted.
Elections to Goa's 40-member state Assembly will be held on February 14 and votes will be counted on March 10.