MARGAO
As hundreds of supporters, party leaders and workers, including ministers, lined up to greet him on his birthday on Sunday, BJP State President Damu Naik said he would not shy away from contesting the 2027 Assembly election from Fatorda if the party directs him to do so.
Naik’s residence at Gogol witnessed a steady stream of visitors throughout Sunday morning, with leaders and party workers from across the State arriving to extend their birthday greetings. Among those who visited were PWD Minister Digambar Kamat and Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar.
Asked by the media whether he would contest the 2027 election from Fatorda, Naik said the BJP had set a target of winning 30 seats in the Goa Legislative Assembly. “The 30 Assembly seats that the party would win include Fatorda. There are also seats where the BJP had won earlier, and the party will go all out to regain those seats,” he said.
Describing himself as a loyal soldier of the BJP who had always worked for the party and followed its directions, Naik said he would accept whatever responsibility was entrusted to him. “I will shoulder whatever responsibility is given to me by the party,” he said when specifically asked whether he would contest from Fatorda.
Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar said party leaders and workers would work to ensure Naik’s victory if he was given the BJP ticket. “Damu Naik is not just the BJP State President, but also a social worker and a grassroots person who is connected to the people. He has made his own contribution to the development of the State. If he gets the ticket in 2027, everyone will work to ensure his victory,” Shirodkar said.
PWD Minister Digambar Kamat recalled that his association with Naik dated back to the 1994 election, when he first contested on a BJP ticket.
“Damu is now the BJP State President. He has the responsibility of leading the party in the upcoming election. He has set a target for the party to win 30 seats in the 2027 election,” Kamat said.
Expressing confidence that the BJP would win more than 30 seats in the 2027 Assembly election under Naik’s leadership, Kamat said he would extend his support to the BJP president in achieving the target.
