the goan I network
MARGAO
Former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s absence was felt when MP Narendra Sawaikar filed his nomination papers for the south Goa Lok Sabha seat on Thursday but the saffron brigade came out in full strength in support of the sitting MP who kick started his campaign to play yet another innings in the Parliament.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister Sripad Naik and state unit president and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar descended at the Matanhy Saldanha Administrative Complex as Sawaikar submitted his nomination papers to Returning Officer Ajit Roy.
BJP Ministers from South Goa, Mauvin Godinho, Milind Naik, Nilesh Cabral and Deepak Pauskar made their presence felt at the office of the Retuning officer. Also present were Dy Chief Minister Babu Ajgaonkar, who lives in the city, and two-time Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha.
BJP organizing secretary Satish Dhond was the cynosure of all eyes as he interacted with the party cadre and leaders alike. Former MLAs Rajan Naik, Subash Faldesai, Ganesh Gaonkar and Party leaders Sadanand Tanavade and Damu Naik came to the Collectorate to show their solidarity with the sitting MP.
BJP Zilla members, Panchayat members and workers were also present.
Party workers and leaders, including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other Ministers assembled at the BJP district office opposite the KTC bus stand before marching on foot towards the Matanhy Saldanha Administrative Complex.
Narendra Sawaikar’s family members were also present in strength as he filed his nomination papers seeking
a re-election.
