Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar seems to have several options before him to contest the upcoming by-elections, with as many as six BJP legislators offering to quit, making way for their ‘bhai’. The State will be going for by-polls within next five months.

Parrikar, who stepped down as the Union Defence Minister last month and subsequently resigned as the Rajya Sabha member, has to get himself re-elected in the Goa Assembly elections within five months from now. The Chief Minister has been the uncrowned king of Panjim constituency for over two decades- before he surrendered it to his close aid and MLA Siddharat Kuncolienkar in 2015- post his elevation in Central cabinet.

Kuncolienkar has currently retained the seat during the recently held elections.

On Friday, when the State BJP executive held its first meeting post-election, as many as six MLAs offered to resign from their assembly seat, making way for Parrikar to contest by-elections from there.

Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, Panjim MLA Siddharat Kuncolienkar, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo and Calangute MLA Micheal Lobo have offered to vacate their seats for Parrikar.

Except for Bicholim, rest five assembly seats are ruled by BJP for last two terms.

Also, newly joined Congress rebel- former Valpoi MLA and Minister Vishwajit Rane wants Parrikar to contest from his constituency, while he is eyeing his father Pratapsingh Rane’s Poriem constituency. He wants the entire Sattari to be under BJP control. Pratapsingh is currently the sitting MLA from Poriem and it is been learnt that he may quit for his son.

Chief Minister, however, appreciated and thanked his party colleagues but he preferred not to comment on anything during the meeting.

Team TNV