MAPUSA
BJP karyakatas and supporters of Urban Development Minister and Mapusa MLA Francis D'Souza alias Babush were taken by surprise over their leader's outburst, but sympathized with him saying the party was not taking the senior BJP leader into confidence on many issues and off late it was trying to belittle him.
"He is the tallest leader. He was the only minority leader who has always remained in the BJP in bad times and good. There was a time when people did not like BJP and no Catholic person was willing to contest on BJP ticket. We feel he is being sidelined by the party," said a senior BJP karyakata.
Many felt that D'Souza was not a person who would jump the gun and was one of the rare politicians who was patience personified.
"Unless there is a provocation, he will not react in this way," said a close aide of the Mapusa MLA.
But there was unanimity among all supporters that both the party and Babush should sit down and sort out issues, if any, among them, in the interest of the party and the State.
"All said and done, I feel Babush is an asset to the party. He has been very faithful and he has been with the party for so long. There was a time when the party offered tickets to people from the minority community, but they were not feeling comfortable to contest on the BJP symbol. From those times, the party has grown to the present state," said GSUDA Vice-Chairman Sandip Falari and staunch supporter of Babush.
"Whatever position BJP is enjoying in Mapusa today, a fair amount of credit goes to Babush's personal popularity in Mapusa. The party has also grown, no doubt. But Babush's popularity has helped the party to grow," he added
Falari acknowledged that Babush was living with certain ailments, but that never came in the way of performing his public duty.
"At this time when he is not keeping too well and is recuperating, I think we all should stand by him," he averred.
He said there was a systematic campaign to malign the minister's image by spreading rumours that he was unwell and incapable of performing his duties.
"He has been a giant of a leader, who has always been guiding us. He and the chief minister should work hand in hand and take the development of not only Mapusa, but the State as a whole," Falari said.
Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson Rohan Kavlekar said he was not aware if there was any kind of pressure on the urban development minister.
"When chief minister was in Mapusa and during key discussions, he (CM) said ‘let Babush come down and only then we will take a call'," Kavlekar said, indicating that all was well.
Attempts to contact the Mapusa BJP Mandal did not bear any fruits. BJP Mandal President Damu Langekar did not answer calls made to him while mandal secretary, Akhil Parrikar, said he was out of station and wouldn't be able to comment.
BJP karyakatas and supporters of Urban Development Minister and Mapusa MLA Francis D'Souza alias Babush were taken by surprise over their leader's outburst, but sympathized with him saying the party was not taking the senior BJP leader into confidence on many issues and off late it was trying to belittle him.
"He is the tallest leader. He was the only minority leader who has always remained in the BJP in bad times and good. There was a time when people did not like BJP and no Catholic person was willing to contest on BJP ticket. We feel he is being sidelined by the party," said a senior BJP karyakata.
Many felt that D'Souza was not a person who would jump the gun and was one of the rare politicians who was patience personified.
"Unless there is a provocation, he will not react in this way," said a close aide of the Mapusa MLA.
But there was unanimity among all supporters that both the party and Babush should sit down and sort out issues, if any, among them, in the interest of the party and the State.
"All said and done, I feel Babush is an asset to the party. He has been very faithful and he has been with the party for so long. There was a time when the party offered tickets to people from the minority community, but they were not feeling comfortable to contest on the BJP symbol. From those times, the party has grown to the present state," said GSUDA Vice-Chairman Sandip Falari and staunch supporter of Babush.
"Whatever position BJP is enjoying in Mapusa today, a fair amount of credit goes to Babush's personal popularity in Mapusa. The party has also grown, no doubt. But Babush's popularity has helped the party to grow," he added
Falari acknowledged that Babush was living with certain ailments, but that never came in the way of performing his public duty.
"At this time when he is not keeping too well and is recuperating, I think we all should stand by him," he averred.
He said there was a systematic campaign to malign the minister's image by spreading rumours that he was unwell and incapable of performing his duties.
"He has been a giant of a leader, who has always been guiding us. He and the chief minister should work hand in hand and take the development of not only Mapusa, but the State as a whole," Falari said.
Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson Rohan Kavlekar said he was not aware if there was any kind of pressure on the urban development minister.
"When chief minister was in Mapusa and during key discussions, he (CM) said ‘let Babush come down and only then we will take a call'," Kavlekar said, indicating that all was well.
Attempts to contact the Mapusa BJP Mandal did not bear any fruits. BJP Mandal President Damu Langekar did not answer calls made to him while mandal secretary, Akhil Parrikar, said he was out of station and wouldn't be able to comment.
