Not ‘uddta panchhi’ to jump political parties: Laxmikant Parsekar

PANAJI: Former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar said that he is not an “uddta panchhi” (flying bird) to jump parties, when he was repeatedly questioned on which party ticket he will contest the Mandrem bypoll.

Since former legislator Dayanand Sopte joined the BJP two months ago, speculations are rife that Parsekar, who felt betrayed by the party over Sopte’s induction, will go his separate way. Parsekar, however, who has been guarded about his move, said he has conveyed his thoughts to the party higher ups.

A source said that Parsekar has asked the party to conduct a survey to gauge who stands a better chance – he or Sopte - of winning the Mandrem seat if given the BJP ticket.

“The scenario has certainly changed since his (Parsekar’s) defeat in the February 2017 assembly polls,” a political observer said.

The source said that Parsekar explained to his seniors that though Sopte was inducted with an understanding that he will be BJP’s candidate for Mandrem, they should take stock of reality if they want to win. “There are strong undercurrents,” the source said, adding it will not be an easy situation for the party, as well for BJP’s candidate, whoever it may be.

Party sources indicated that the state functionaries during their visit to Delhi for the national council meeting on January 11-12, may discuss the issues related to the bypolls for the two seats of Mandrem and Shiroda, with the central leaders.

Both – Sopte and Parsekar – are actively canvassing in Mandrem, while party leaders have maintained a dignified silence, the source said.

BJP’s coalition partner, MGP, which is in a belligerent mood since its repeated requests to have senior most minister PWD minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, given charge of the government, has not hidden its plan to go against the former.

Historically, MGP though enjoyed support in Mandrem, its support base has eroded during the last two decades. But it does have votes and can hurt the winning chances of the BJP candidate if it chooses to be a spoilsport, a source said.

Former RSS chief Subhash Velingkar, a source said, is also ready to throw in his spanner. Making matters worse, Congress leaders have empathised with Parsekar, and also offered to work in his favour if he decides to contest independently. Congress spokesperson Ramakant Khalap has already made the statement to this effect, even as he clashed with Parsekar after grants for his college in Mandrem were discontinued while the latter was health minister.