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THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Former chairperson and senior councilor Sudhir Kandolkar, on Sunday, said sincere BJP karyakartas were being marginalised from the time people from other parties have entered into the BJP.
He also blamed three ministers in the coalition government who were instrumental in turning the tide against him when the BJP ticket was there for him for the taking.
Kandolkar said BJP had done grave injustice to sincere and hardworking karyakartas like him.
“I have worked selflessly and sincerely for the BJP all these years without any personal benefit. There is grave injustice done to me. Despite offers, I refused to contest in the last assembly election. It’s not only me but all my supporters and well-wishers who are deeply hurt,” he said.
The former chairperson who was a front-runner for the BJP ticket lost out to former Mapusa MLA, Francisco D’Souza’s son, Joshua D’Souza who was finally selected to represent BJP in the Mapusa bypoll.
According to Kandolkar, three ministers in the BJP-led coalition government interfered in the selection process which finally dashed his hopes of getting the BJP ticket.
“I am aware senior BJP leaders from Goa had proposed my name to the central election committee. The interference of Vijai Sardessai, Rohan Khaunte and Vishwajit Rane led to denial of the BJP ticket to me,” Kandolkar alleged.
“This is a dangerous trend for the BJP,” he warned.
Interestingly, Kandolkar refused to blame any of the senior BJP leaders in the State for the ticket debacle.
“Goa BJP leaders like Satish Dhond, Vinay Tendulkar, Dayanand Mandrekar, Damu Naik, Datta Kholkar and Sadanand Tanavde had all recommended my name,” he said.
The former chairperson said that he has not contacted any of the councilors so far but expected at least half the councilors to back him in the bypolls.
'Will work for Congress'
MAPUSA: Soon after joining the Congress, former chairperson, Sudhir Kandolkar said that he will work for the party with all his might.
“I thank the Congress party for giving me an opportunity. I will work for the party with dedication and sincerity,” Kandolkar said.
He said for a brief moment he thought of sitting at home after he was denied the ticket but his supporters and well-wishers egged him to contest.
“My aim is to work for the welfare of the people and development of Mapusa. Employment for the youth will also be a priority,” he said.
Lone Mapusa councilor backs Kandolkar
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA: One BJP-backed councilor in Mapusa openly came out in support of senior councilor, Sudhir Kandolkar even as support started to pour in for the beleaguered former chairperson who lost out on the BJP ticket for the Mapusa bypoll.
First-time councilor Martin Carrasco said that he will fully back Kandolkar for the by-election on whichever party he chooses to contest on.
“If a person who has worked sincerely for the last 22 years for a party fails to enjoy the fruits, I think it’s time to look for an alternative. I will back Sudhir for the by-election,” Carrasco said.
The councilor was speaking at a meeting called to extend support to Sudhir Kandolkar where over 250 people were present.
Staunch Congressman and former Mapusa MLA Phyllis Faria’s son, Lucindo Faria also expressed his support to Kandolkar in his quest to contest the bypolls in Mapusa.
“We have always supported Sudhir. And if he joins Congress we will fully back him,” Faria said.
Former Shiv Sena leader Ramesh Naik said that he had warned Kandolkar that BJP would ditch him at the last minute. “BJP was lampooning Congress for family raj. By giving BJP ticket to the former MLA’s son, isn’t BJP encouraging family raj?” he asked.
He said when a sincere karyakarta like Kandolkar has been treated in this way by the BJP, one could understand the fate of aam aadmi in Goa.
“We have to teach the BJP a lesson and I will strip the party naked during the election campaign,” Naik warned.
Shirish Divkar, Sanjiv Rane and several other supporters also spoke on the occasion.
