Dissent over Morajkar’s nomination as Usgaonkar, Martins sidelined
MAPUSA
The BJP’s announcement of Subhash Morajkar as its candidate for the Aldona Zilla Panchayat seat has set off an unexpected wave of resentment among party workers, exposing deep internal fissures in a constituency long regarded as a Congress stronghold but held by the BJP in the outgoing term.
Morajkar, a former Bastora sarpanch and current panchayat member, emerged as the party’s choice reportedly due to his Maratha lineage, which is believed to have tilted the scales in his favour.
However, his selection has sidelined two strong aspirants – ex-sarpanch and BJP Mandal President Ranjit Usgaonkar and former sarpanch Savio Martins – both of whom enjoy significant grassroots support.
According to party sources, a group of influential Bastora panchayat members, upset with the decision, are now actively exploring ways to oppose the official nominee.
The disgruntled faction, along with their supporters, is expected to meet late Sunday evening to decide their next move.
Their strategy, insiders say, may include supporting a rival candidate – possibly even the Congress nominee, once announced.
The core of the grievance lies in what karyakartas describe as the leadership’s failure to assess ground realities before finalising the ticket.
“Many workers feel the decision was imposed without proper consultation. We had cautioned the leadership that such resentment might surface, but the final call was made at the top,” a senior BJP functionary told this newspaper on condition of anonymity.
The brewing discontent poses a potential setback for a party that often prides itself on discipline and cadre unity, especially in high-stakes local elections.
With the Congress yet to name its candidate and an independent backed by an environmental group already in the fray, the Aldona ZP seat is shaping into an unpredictable contest – one where internal discord may weigh as heavily as external rivalry.
