the goan I network
MAPUSA
The party machinery comprising senior party men of the BJP have been working overtime to quell growing anger within a section of party workers in Bardez, who were upset after the recent shakeup in the cabinet.
Two party seniors, who are residents of Bardez, have been in the forefront to warn party members not to take part in any meetings or issue statements to the media which would be viewed as anti-party.
Sources informed The Goan that key members of Mapusa and Aldona BJP mandal were summoned to party headquarters and told not to participate in any press briefings or take part in any meetings to discuss the recent party decision to drop two ministers and prop up new ones.
On getting wind of a press briefing arranged the Aldona panchayat along with the office bearers of Aldona BJP mandal, party seniors directed office bearers of Aldona BJP mandal to stay away from the meeting.
Some panch members disclosed that party seniors tried their best to scuttle the press briefing at Aldona.
“Some of these party seniors won’t even get 10 votes if they contest an election. For them, it’s very easy to sit in their arm chairs and issue directions from the comforts of their A/C cabins. It’s we who have to face the voters on the ground,” said one of the panch members.
It is understood the same party seniors directed the members of the Mapusa BJP mandal not to attend the press conference which was addressed by the Mapusa councillors on Tuesday.
When contacted, Mapusa BJP mandal General Secretary Akhil Parrikar said no directions were received from party higher-ups, but since BJP was a disciplined party everybody knew their role.
“The mandal has not been issued any directions. Ours is a disciplined party and each one of us is aware of our responsibilities. I have spoken to Mapusa MLA Francisco D’Souza and we have discussed about the recent party decision,” Parrikar said.
He, however, admitted that since D’Souza was a local MLA, karyakatas could get easy access and work was getting done faster.
Attempts to contact Aldona BJP mandal chief Franky Carvalho were unsuccessful.
