the goan I network
MARGAO
Attribute it to the Satish Dhond effect or simply the organizational strength, the impressive turn out of booth karyakartas for Sunday’s interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing should hopefully keep the BJP leadership in good stead.
As the sprawling Government Multipurpose Ground, Borda was literally soaked in saffron with party workers trickling in from every nook and corner of South Goa, party leaders appeared confident.
A senior BJP leader was even quick to point out that the huge congregation not only comes as a morale booster for the party rank and file ahead of the ensuing Lok Sabha poll, but will certainly silence critics that all is not well in the organization in the wake of the political developments post-2017 Assembly election.
And, the return of Satish Dhond as the Party Organizational Secretary, many conceded, has only given the party rank and file the confidence and direction at the critical juncture.
Known for his organizational skills and rapport with district, constituency and even booth level workers, Dhond was conspicuous by his presence at the huge pandal erected to host the interaction with the Prime Minister.
While party leaders, including ministers, MLAs and senior leaders took their seats on the front row, Dhond was spotted moving to and fro taking stock of the situation and interacting with key party workers.
BJP district general secretary and MMC councilor was quick to recognize the efforts put in by Dhond in coordinating with district, constituency and booth level workers to get them on the Multipurpose Ground.
“Workers came in strength from Margao and Fatorda, besides Navelim and Cuncolim where the party has a good following. Workers also came all the way from Sanguem and Canacona,” councillor Rupesh Mahatme said.
South Goa MP and senior party leader Narendra Sawaikar said the BJP’s organizational base is intact as was evident by the turn out of party workers on Sunday.
“When BJP president Amit Shah had visited the state at Taleigao at short notice, we had mobilized around the same number of workers. Today, I can say with confidence that the same number of booth level workers turned up at the Multipurpose Ground. Our organizational base remains and is growing,” he said.
He added: “We had expected around 4500-5000 workers to attend the interaction. Accordingly, we had made arrangements for the huge turnout and I can say we were right on target.”
