MARGAO
In a development that took many by surprise, BJP Fatorda candidate Damu Naik took the ongoing battle into the Goa Forward Party camp by inducting GFP-backed Margao municipal councillor Shweta Lotlikar, her husband Sujay and their supporters into the BJP-fold on Wednesday.
Addressing the media in the presence of Damu Naik, Maharashtra MLA Sanjay Kelkar and other party leaders, Shweta said she was not given representation on the Margao municipal committees, thus affecting the work in her ward. “We wanted to undertake development in our ward, but we were not ignored. They did injustice to us by not nominating me on the municipal committees. We have decided to join the BJP in the interest of the people of my ward and Fatorda”, she said.
Saying the BJP is a national party, Shweta said BJP will come back to power in Goa and that Damu is the only option left for the people of Fatorda in the coming election.
Sujay Lotlikar, who was heading the Fatorda unit of the Goa Forward Party in the past, said he was unceremoniously removed from the post by the Goa Forward Party chief without even any intimation.
“I was removed from the post without taking me into confidence. I felt hurt the way I was treated in the Goa Forward. There was a group in the party, which was trying to cut us down to size”, he said.
A beaming Damu told the media that people have been quitting the Goa Forward to join the BJP to support his candidature since they have realized the true colours of the sitting MLA.
