CANACONA
In an open appeal to Canacona’s Congress MLA Isidore Fernandes, ex-MLA and BJP leader Vijay Poi Khot publicly asked Fernandes to join BJP to ensure more development to Canacona constituency.
Addressing a function at Canacona on Saturday, Khot expressed happiness to see leaders coming together on a single platform for the betterment of Canacona.
“Together we will work and I request our MLA Isidore-bab to join us to present our needs and requirements to the BJP government. I ask you today to join the BJP to bring about more development to Canacona,” said Khot, amid loud cheers from the audience.
Fernandes, who was seated on the dais, gave a huge smile, and when his turn came to address the gathering, thanked Khot for the invitation, but refused to change his decision for the next five years.
“Let me remind everyone that I was elected by my people even though I was defeated thrice on the Congress party. This is the faith, love and affection that I cherish to serve as their MLA for these five years.”
“I have already stated that irrespective of who is in the government, I do not believe in ruling and opposition politics. Let us promote development and I will fully support it,” added Fernandes.
“Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar is my friend and was once my colleague. We fought together, but situations have changed now and it does not mean we will be political enemies.”
Fernandes also expressed happiness that leaders from different parties, including local AAP leader Sandesh Telekar, were present at the event.
Incidentally, former sports minister Ramesh Tawadkar was the only leader missing at the function to commission the Rs 2 crore worth UG Power Cabling Network, the project which he had launched as tribal welfare minister only eight months ago.
Before the function, Madkaikar, a former Congress leader who switched to the BJP before the March assembly polls, reportedly visited Poi Khot at his residence on reaching Canacona and persuaded Poi Khot to join in the functions at Canacona.
Accepting the invite, Khot and a number of BJP leaders including BJP South District President Sarvanand Bhagat, Canacona Block President Mahesh Naik, BJP Yuva President Pankaj NaikGaunkar and several other BJP workers were present at the function.
Interestingly, all 5 opposition councillors close to Tawadkar were also present along with their ruling counterparts.
