CORTALIM
In fact, questions are already being raised especially within the St Andre BJP cadre as to who could be the next choice for the party ticket should Wagh not be fit enough to contest the polls. “In the event that the incumbent MLA does not fully recover, the party will naturally opt for a new candidate,” said Adv Somnath Patil, the BJP state executive member.
Asked if he was in the fray for the ticket, Patil, who lives in Goa Velha, answered in the positive. “I’m a senior member of the party, so it will certainly consider all these aspects while it comes to allotting the party ticket.”
To a query on whether he would accept another candidate, Patil replied: “Since the party will arrive at a decision only after taking the party workers into confidence, I will abide by the party’s decision.”
Tony Fernandes, another party member and prominent social worker from Agassaim, also concurred with Patil, saying that the party would soon organise a meeting to decide on the issue. “I am also in the fray as I have been working loyally for the party for last 10 years,” said Fernandes.
“We have been informed by the State Party President Vinay Tendulkar that a meeting would be convened shortly to decide on the issue.
We (block) will be meeting soon to discuss the issue,” he added.
When asked whether he was aspiring for the BJP ticket, Goa Velha Sarpanch Jagdish Bhobe said all options were open. But when reminded he was not the member of the BJP to avail the party ticket, Bhobe said there was still time and he would take the right decision at an appropriate time.
Another BJP member Simon Caiado said he had already staked his claim for
the ticket.
When asked whether he was also working for the AAP, Caiado said these rumours were being spread by his rivals. “I only welcomed AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal with a banner when he came to Goa. But that did not mean that I quit the party,” Caiado said, adding that he had already started ward meetings in the constituency.
However, State BJP President Vinay Tendulkar told The Goan said the party is yet to arrive at a decision on the allotment of party tickets in all constituencies.
“The party’s election committee will decide on the issue and it is only then that the party will declare its candidate,” Tendulkar told The Goan.
Despite efforts, St Andre Block President Somnath Fadte could not be contacted.
