CANACONA
Hours after resigning as MLA and a member of the BJP, former MLA Isidore Fernandes on Friday decided to contest as an independent candidate in the Canacona constituency.
Fernandes announced his decision after responding to fervent requests by the Canacona BJP Block and BJYM, five sarpanchas, five councillors and several current and former panchas during a meeting at his residence in Pedem-Loliem on Friday evening.
“I wholeheartedly accept your call to contest as an independent and will not consider joining any other party,” said Fernandes, to the cheers of his supporters.
“I will seek votes on the two planks of unemployment and development”, as I wish to continue assisting my people of Canacona in providing employment and carrying on with development works.”
“I began my political career in Canacona as an independent candidate and thanks to BJP, I have come back a full circle and will once again contest as an independent in Canacona,” added Fernandes.
Canacona BJP Block President Nandip Bhagat made it clear that they wanted a BJP MLA in Canacona, but not Ramesh Tawadkar.
“We call upon the BJP leadership to reconsider their wrong decision of imposing Tawadkar on us, as the people of Canacona do not want him. Instead, they must change the candidate recommended by the party.”
“Mistakes can happen and no damage has been done as the party has not issued any C-form as yet. So, the party can still change its decision and give the BJP ticket to Isidore Fernandes, who not only worked for the party but helped the government to comfortably complete its term,” added Bhagat.
“Right from the beginning, the party told us to work with Fernandes and we worked hard with his full support.”
BJYM President Satish Gosavi said they would not part ways with Fernandes and added that all block committees would work towards his success if he were to contest elections.
Among those who spoke at the meeting included Poinguinim ZP member Shobhana Velip, Councillors Dhiraj Naikgaunkar, Neetu Dessai and Shubham Komarpant, BJP leader Fiona Rodrigues, Sarpannchas Daya Gaonkar (Cotigao), Sachin Naik (Loliem-Polem) Badal Naikgaunkar (Agonda), Anjali Velip (Gaondongrim) and Jagdish Gaonkar (Poinguinim).
Those present at the meeting included Panch Vidya Gayak, former Loliem-Polem Sarpanch and sitting Panch Ajay (Ajit) Lolienkar, Panchas Bhavna, Elda Barretto, Kusta Gaonkar, Nilesh Pagi, Pramod Phaldesai, Shekhar Desai, Hemant Gracias, Rudresh Namshikar and Prashant Dessai, besides a number of BJP party workers.
