PANAJI
The State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday hinted at denying tickets to nearly four of its sitting MLAs for the upcoming State Legislative Assembly polls. Presently, the BJP has 21 MLAs in the 40-member State Legislative Assembly.
According to sources, it could be Canacona MLA and Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, Mayem MLA and Speaker Anant Shet and Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar. Pernem MLA and Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar could be also on a shaky wicket.
State BJP’s senior leaders are presently holding meetings with party members across all constituencies to seek suggestions and feedback on the probable candidates in their respective constituencies.
When asked if all the existing MLAs would be given tickets, State BJP President Vinay Tendulkar replied, “There is nothing like that. There are possibilities that 2-3 of the existing MLAs could be denied BJP’s candidature.”
The ‘Mood of The State’ survey conducted by 'The Goan' had shown that Canacona is an uncertain seat for BJP, but could be secured if the present MLA and Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar is replaced by another candidate. Tawadkar, along with a few others, was also seen in serious talks with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday outside Paryatan Bhavan, Panaji. Nonetheless, another aspiring candidate Vijay Pai Khot has started with his campaign in the constituency. Khot also shared his photograph with representatives of the ST community on Facebook on Thursday.
“Thanks to all representatives of the ST community of Canacona constituency for coming forward and extending their support for upcoming assembly election” “ read the Facebook post.
In case of Sanvordem, though present legislator Ganesh Gaonkar was given an approval rating of 59 per cent, the survey also pointed out that the revolt could upset BJP’s plans. Party President Vinay Tendulkar too is in the race for Sanvordem constituency.
When asked about the same, he said, “If the party tells me, I will contest.”
As regards Mayem, the present MLA and Speaker Anant Shet is shown as 'unsafe' with an approval rating of 28 per cent. The survey has also shown that the Congress could win due to the anti-incumbency factor for the MLA.
Nonetheless, in case of Pernem, the approval rating of the MLA stood at 28 per cent while the verdict was that Congress could win as people are unhappy with the performance of the MLA. A verbal spat between the minister and a local person at the Liberation Day function also indicated that Arlekar was facing the heat from the people over the kul and mundkar issue. Another factor that could affect his performance is SC leader and former three-time MLA, Babu Azgaonkar's recent entry into Maharashtawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), and is likely to be the party’s candidate in Pernem.
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ON A SHAKY WICKET
- Ramesh Tawadkar, Sports Minister and Canacona MLA
- Anant Shet, Speaker and Mayem MLA
- Ganesh Gaonkar, Sanvordem MLA
- Rajendra Arlekar, Environment Minister and Pernem MLA
