the goan I network
PANAJI
Addressing a press conference, BBSM Leader Subhash Velingkar also said that former Panaji Mayor Ashok Naik backed out from the fray after being pressurised.
"Three of GSM's vice-presidents had gone to meet Shantaram Naik at Congress House when he returned from Delhi. BJP's internal circles started with propaganda that this was mainly to support Congress in the by-poll," he stated.
He said when GSM was working out a political strategy Parrikar took advantage of being a chief minister and stated on the Floor of the House that Congress started grants to English medium primary schools and GSM going back to the Congress showed that it had no principles. Parrikar does not have moral right to speak on principles, he chided.
Speaking further, Velingkar said, "When the question of fielding an all-party candidate came up, two names came up. When former Panaji Mayor Ashok Naik's name was being discussed for candidature by the Congress, we were of the opinion that Congress should not declare his name and instead he should contest as an all-party candidate. We made all efforts to field a single candidate against Parrikar. GSM office-bearers had met all leaders of all political parties. Within those two days, all political gimmicks were played and after being pressurised, he backed out. These efforts turned futile and GSM had to field its own candidate for the bypoll."
"Where was Parrikar's morality when he imported candidates from the Congress? Despite having few candidates, how did he form the government? The person who is an expert at ‘settings' should not speak about principles," Velingkar asserted.
It's time to elect Bahujan candidate in Panaji, says Aravind Bhatikar
Strongly stating that GSM will not back out from Panaji bypoll, BBSM Leader Aravind Bhatikar said that the capital city has an opportunity to elect an MLA from the ‘Bahujan' community.
"We have fielded a strong candidate from the Bahujan community. Panaji has an opportunity to elect a Bahujan candidate", said Bhatikar.
Stating that Goa's bahujans are a vast community, while others are in minority, Bhatikar said, "Then why we do not get a CM from the bahujan community? This has to be answered by everyone. I am not being casteist. But this is pure democracy."
