PANAJI
State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday announced the second list of seven candidates for the upcoming State Legislative Assembly poll on February 4.
The seven candidates include Pravin Zantye (Mayem), Vijay Pai Khot (Canacona), Vishwajit Krishnarao Rane (Poriem), Satyavijay Naik (Valpoi), Sunil Desai (Ponda), Arthur D’Silva (Curtorim) and Vinay Tari (Velim).
The party is yet to announce its decisions with regard to three constituencies “ Navelim, Benaulim and Nuvem and the same would be announced in the next two days. As regards Navelim, the party workers who held a meeting with senior BJP leaders in Panaji were of the opinion that the party should field its candidate instead of backing an independent candidate.
Addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters in Panaji, Party President Vinay Tendulkar stated that winnability was the only factor which was considered while giving tickets to Vijay Pai Khot and Pravin Zantye.
“We conducted surveys in both constituencies for two days. As we wanted to get elected in these two constituencies, we chose a winning candidate," said Tendulkar.
Meanwhile, he also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address a rally of BJP workers in Panaji on January 28. Additionally, BJP National President Amit Shah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Goa election in-charge Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Smriti Irani are likely to be in the State ahead of election for campaigning.
Meanwhile, former Goa chief of Samajwadi Party Rohidas Shirodkar on Monday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with his supporters. He had also joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on September 25 and quit the party within three months alleging that it had been dictating to Goans.
“I wanted the party to survive in Goa but I did not get the required support from its leaders as they were not interested in Goa. Then I joined AAP and immediately I was appointed the coordinator of Ponda. When Kejriwal came to Goa, I realised that he was the only one who was taking all the decisions. At the public meeting held in Cuncolim, he did not even mention Ponda anywhere and my workers were of the opinion that if we do not have any respect, we should quit the party and accordingly joined BJP," said Shirodkar who had contested as an independent from Shiroda in 1989.
Speaking to media persons earlier, AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik said, “Many people are joining BJP as they feel there is no option to BJP as far as Goa’s politics is concerned. Taking this opportunity I want to appeal to those who are interested in working for the society through politics to join BJP and take Goa forward.”
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PANAJI: The State unit of the BJP has condemned the scuffle between party workers of BJP and MGP in Pernem.
“After our Pernem MLA Rajendra Arlekar filed his nomination, MGP leader Babu Azgaonkar had come to file his nomination. There should be show of strength. But after Arlekar was leaving, they tried blocking the road. We have already complained to the police. Such incidents should not take place in future," said Naik.
