The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday dropped the name of Utpal Parrikar, son of former Defence Minister late Manohar Parrikar, and named Sidharth Kuncalienker as its candidate for the ensuing Panaji Assembly by-poll.

The nomination of Kuncalienker, an aide of late Parrikar, was approved after much deliberation by the BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC), said JP Nadda, secretary, CEC, in a statement.

It was widely expected that the BJP would name Utpal as its candidate to get benefit from the sympathy wave for him arising out of his father's demise.

The Panaji Assembly by-poll, scheduled for May 19, was necessitated after the death of sitting BJP MLA and then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar last month.

Utpal Parrikar, 38, has a Masters degree from the United States and is currently in business. He had earlier said that he would take any responsibility given by the BJP.

Kunkolienkar first won the Panaji seat during the 2015 by-election. He again won the constituency in the 2017 state Assembly polls, but later vacated the seat for late Parrikar to be inducted into the House.

Opposition Congress has fielded former state minister Atanasio Monserratte from this constituency.

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