MARGAO
Saying that the late Manohar Parrikar will always remain in the hearts of the party workers, BJP leader Sharmad Raiturkar on Monday exuded confidence that the party leadership will not open doors for those who had betrayed Parrikar by leaving the party in 2005.
When the media sought his comment on the rumours doing the rounds suggesting the imminent entry of Congress Margao MLA Digambar Kamat into the BJP, Sharmad said: “Late Parrikar has been BJP’s tallest leader in the State. He was not just a political leader, but has been a family friend for every worker. Bhai will always have a place in our hearts”.
He added: “There’s a saying in Konkani that even a sinner may be accepted but not a betrayer. When the traitor had made attempts to return to the party-fold, late Parrikar did not allow the betrayer the entry. We should not do anything that Parrikar opposed when he was alive. We are confident that the party will not do something that would open the doors for the traitors and betrayers”.
Sharmad was reacting to a query from the media over reports and rumours that former chief minister Digambar Kamat may soon join the BJP. “We are not aware of any such move. We have read all this in the media. We have no idea whether it was fake news or someone was trying to gain entry into the party”, he added.
Sharmad, who had in the party crossed swords against Kamat on three occasions, including the 2005 by-election, when Kamat had quit the BJP to embrace the Congress, said the party leadership is aware of the sentiments of the workers and their firm opposition to the entry of the traitors and betrayers back into the party fold.
Meanwhile, addressing the media along with party Margao block president Rupesh Mahatme, General Secretary Ketan Kurtarkar and Parag Raikar, Sharmad said a free Covid vaccination camp will be held for children on April 12 in the age group of 12-14 years from 10 am to 1 pm at the Lingayat hall, Margao.
