Former Chief Minister and senior political leader Laxmikant Parsekar rejoined the BJP along with his supporters at Atal Bhavan in Panaji today, ending a four-year separation ahead of the 2027 Goa Assembly elections. Parsekar said a misunderstanding had prompted his departure in 2022 and that neither he nor his supporters had joined another political party during this period. Parsekar’s return adds to a three-way political equation in Mandrem involving former BJP MLA Dayanand Sopte and sitting MLA Jit Arolkar of ally MGP. CM Pramod Sawant’s statement at the induction that the “lotus will bloom in Mandrem” has further fuelled speculation over ruling party’s plans for the constituency.
