Goa elections: RSS-backed GSM may withdraw its ‘tough’ Panaji candidate Raju Sukerkar

However, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai has clarified that no patient under the name of Raju Sukerkar availed of its services. Ajaykumar Pande, Director of Operations, said: “Such a patient was not brought (to the hospital) in the last two days. Even in our appointments scheduled for coming two days, we do not have his name listed.”

Shirodkar clarified that as of now, Sukerkar was still the candidate. “If we have a tough opponent, we will field him, else the MGP is free to contest from the (Panaji) seat,” he said.

Sukerkar, a close friend of Parrikar, poses a serious threat to BJP’s Sidharth Kuncalienker. The split between the BJP and the RSS took place last year after the BJP refused to give in to the demands of an RSS-backed organisation that it stop funding English medium primary schools and only provide aid to schools that provide education in Marathi and Konkani.

The GSM is in an alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and the Shiv Sena. The MGP ended its alliance with the ruling BJP hours after the election code of conduct came into force. It’s party MLAs had publicly expressed their disagreements with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar leading to a public spat.