BJP mulling to make Parrikar new party face if Modi fails

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to promote Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar if they failed to achieve the magic figure in the upcoming general election under the leadership of its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

It seems that the party is concerned that they might not be able to form the government despite emerging as a single largest party and the situation might be similar to what happened in the recent assembly polls.

A party insider claimed that those responsible for giving tickets are making a mistake of fielding week candidates against their wish. ‘This might be a major problem in reaching the 272 plus target. We have also information that in some areas vice-president of the parties were approached by the Congressmen suggesting them to get the tickets so that it will be easier for the later (Congress) to win their respective constituencies,’ he said.

He said, ‘What aggravated the situation are differences of opinion within the party leaders. There are resentments among the party leaders over various issues. Recently, BJP Goa state unit leadership expressed their annoyance for not giving much importance to the chief minister (Manohar Parrikar).’

On the context of recent developments over Parrikar, he said, ‘A few days ago Parrikar along with party president Rajnath Singh and party’s patriarch LK Advani reportedly had a meeting where the strategy was decided if the party fails to achieve the magic number. It was also decided to promote Parrikar as a new face of the party at the national platform.’

Meanwhile, Goa health minister Laxmikant Parsenkar said Parrikar should be included in the union government if the BJP is elected to power.

He said, ‘He is a knowledgeable, experience person and his performance is outstanding, he should be in the central cabinet.’

The Goa CM was even projected as a possible prime ministerial candidate by his friends and well-wishers but the party leadership had decided to project Modi.