Panaji, Aug 18 (IANS): The Goa BJP on Thursday complained to the EC and state police against unknown persons for "propagating fake news" that cited Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar as purportedly having said that he would return as Defence Minister if he loses the Panaji assembly by-poll.

"An attempt has been made by circulating distorted and false news item on social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, and others, to create falsehood, malign the image of our candidate Manohar Parrikar and to misguide the electorate of Panaji constituency," the complaint filed by Goa Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Pundalik Rautdessai before the Election Commission and Goa Police Cyber Cell said.

The 'fake news' clip went viral on Wednesday on website www.primenews-goa.com.

It quoted Parrikar as saying: "These elections are important for me, but if I lose (August 23 by-poll), I can always shift to Delhi as Defence Minister."

After the complaint was filed, Parrikar told reporters at the state BJP headquarters here that he is confident of his victory.

"I am meeting people and asking them to elect me with a huge margin. Secondly, the rumour did not pick up because people in Panaji know my victory is sure. The only question mark is on the victory margin -- whether it is 6,000, 8,000, or 9,000. Some people say it is going to be 10,000," Parrikar said.

By-polls will be held for Panaji and Valpoi seats on August 23. In Panaji, Parrikar takes on Congress's Girish Chodankar and in Valpoi Health Minister Vishwajit Rane will face Congress rival Roy Naik.