BJP State chief challenges Sardesai to name any signature project in Fatorda over the past 13 years; CM says development is executed by govt, not individual MLAs
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant addressing the BJP Fatorda Karyakarta Melava in Fatorda on Friday evening.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
A week after Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai announced on his 55th birthday his intention to enter Margao and gain control of the Margao Municipal Council in the 2026 civic polls, the BJP leadership descended on Fatorda in strength for the party’s Karyakarta Melava on Friday, with BJP State President Damu Naik leading from the front to challenge the Fatorda MLA to name any signature project implemented in the constituency over the past 13 years.
In fact, Damu said he is ready to quit politics if the Fatorda MLA proves that he has brought any signature project in Fatorda. “Let him come with his files and I will come with the list of projects ushered by me in Fatorda,” he asserted.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said it is the government and the Chief Minister who is executing development works across the State and no MLA should take credit behind any development. The Chief Minister further said the government will soon take up the work on the long-pending Margao bus stand, adding ‘just because the project is located in Fatorda, no individual should claim credit for the project’.
The melava also saw Congress-turned-Margao MLA Digambar Kamat categorically saying he had ushered in developmental projects in Fatorda taking into account the requirements of Margao city as a whole, comprising of the constituencies of Margao and Fatorda.
Party leaders led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Tanavade, Party MLAs Ulhas Tuenkar and Daji Salkar and party leaders descended in Fatorda for the Karyakarta Melava in the home constituency of Party President Damu Naik.
Kamat took the platform to shower praises on BJP State President, Damu Naik, who had represented Fatorda for two-terms in the Goa Legislative Assembly, saying it is a matter of pride that Damu had raised to the top party post from humble beginning as a grassroot worker.
Kamat did not stop there. He publicly acknowledged that Fatorda had witnessed infrastructure development during Damu’s stint as MLA. Apparently referring to the oft-repeated claim by critics that Fatorda is a planned constituency compared to Margao, Kamat said he has implemented development projects in Margao city as a whole. “I had never discriminated between Fatorda and Margao but we planned for Margao city as a whole. I had brought projects such as Ravindra Bhavan, District hospital, district Collectorate, underground cabling all for the benefit of Margao city and not just for Fatorda. I must say that Damu Naik, who was the then Fatorda MLA had extended all his help in implemented these projects,” he said.
He added: “Damu is one leader who speaks less, but works more. He works with speed and hence most of the projects we had undertaken in the city were during his tenure as a MLA. Though we belonged to two different parties, we enjoyed good relationship. Damu has a passion to work for the welfare and benefit of the people.”
In his address, Damu recalled the projects he had ushered in Fatorda during his two-term stint as MLA of the constituency. He dared the Fatorda MLA to outline the signature projects implemented in the constituency after his exit as MLA in 2012. “Fatorda has a three km radius. Those who claim that they have brought development in this three km area radius should come with proof of projects. Why is the bus stand not taking shape in Fatorda, what is the reason. When Digambar was CM, I was in the opposition, but so many projects came in Fatorda during my stint as MLA,” Damu asserted.
The BJP State president said those who want to contest the election from Fatorda should open their mouths and work for the party in right earnest.
