Atanasio Monserrate, BJP candidate on Panaji seat, said on January 22 that the party tried its level best to convince Utpal Parrikar, son of former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, requesting him to contest from any constituencies.

Speaking to ANI, Monserrate said, “The party tried its level best to convince him (Utpal Parrikar). I am sure that if his father (former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar) was alive, he would have never allowed this thing to happen.”