Vijai says move was only to secure Poinguinim ZP seat, insists Prashant Naik is the candidate, and warns divided Oppn aids BJP
Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai clarifies the party’s stand on inducting former MLA Isidore Fernandes in the party.
MARGAO
With defections becoming a major concern in the Opposition camp ahead of the upcoming Zilla Panchayat polls, Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai on Saturday defended the party’s decision to induct former Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes, saying the move was taken solely to secure a win in the Poinguinim seat against the BJP.
Sardesai stressed the need for a pragmatic political approach if the Opposition hopes to defeat the BJP in Goa. Claiming that the BJP is working according to a clear strategy to divide Opposition votes, he warned that the ruling party will benefit if Opposition forces fail to present a united front.
He asserted that the BJP would not win even 25 seats in the coming polls if it faces straight contests from a united opposition. Sardesai went so far as to say he is ready to quit politics if the Opposition fails to cross the 25-seat mark in straight contests with the BJP. “The BJP is determined to ensure the Opposition remains fragmented. The Opposition must be careful not to unintentionally play into the BJP’s hands,” he cautioned.
Explaining the party’s decision to induct former MLA Isidore Fernandes in the party, Sardesai said the party has decided to put its best foot forward to win the coming polls. “We have fielded our founder member and former student leader Prashant Naik in Poinguinim. What we realised in due course of time that the party will not be able to defeat the BJP candidate fielded by a sitting BJP minister. Hence, it was decided to induct Isidore, who had polled 6,500 votes in the Assembly election as an Independent. We have not given the ticket to Isidore. Our candidate is Prashant Naik and not Isidore,” he added.
Saying the Opposition parties made a hue and cry that the Goa Forward is giving a platform for defectors, Sardesai said the Revolutionary Goans Party has made a reference to a platform being given to defectors. “The RGP has the right to express its opinion. I respect their opinion. We are against defections since defections have affected the regional parties more than the national parties. But, we have to defeat the BJP. I have defeated the BJP three times in Fatorda. The same BJP candidate is now the BJP State president. We are fighting on the ground and fighting them properly,” he said.
While saying the party will clarify on all these issues once the alliance is formed, the Goa Forward chief took a dig at the RGP while stressing on the need for civility in public discourse.
