CANACONA
The All India OBC Mahasabha (AIOBCM), a body of 19 OBC communities, has decided to support any winning OBC candidate at the assembly elections irrespective of party affiliations.
The AIOBCM has, however, decided to support Congress candidate Janardhan Bhandari, after considering him among the 4 OBC candidates contesting assembly elections from the Canacona constituency.
Addressing the media, AIOBCM State president Shashikant Ghadi said the Mahasabha has decided to shortlist candidates depending on feedback from local OBC units.
“Since there are multiple OBC candidates in Canacona constituency and as there are 13 OBC communities in Canacona alone, it has been decided to support Congress candidate Janardhan Bhandari,” said Ghadi.
“Different candidates in respective constituencies will be announced accordingly,” he added.
Ghadi claimed that though the OBC makes up for 65% of the State’s population, nothing had been done for the welfare of the OBC and their suggestions were not even considered.
“None of our 29 representations submitted to the government have been resolved or even acknowledged. We are convinced that we need to have a voice in the assembly, be it within the treasury bench or opposition, to address our suggestions and demands.”
He said the AIOBCM would announce its support to OBC candidates in other constituencies like Siolim, Ponda, Sanguem, Curchorem, Dabolim and Navelim, irrespective of party affiliations.
Pankaj Namshikar, Santosh Agadkar, All Goa Toddy Tappers Association Chairman Remy Borges, Shabu Naik, Umesh Nasnodkar, Sanjay Naik, Shankar Naik, Rohidas Madgaunkar, Render Community leader Gaspar Coutinho were among those present at the news conference.
