CANACONA
There have been mixed reactions in Canacona as four-term MLA and former minister Ramesh Tawadkar is set to be elected as speaker in the assembly.
CMC ex-chairperson and Chaudi Councillor Ramakant Naikgaunkar and social activist Shamba Dessai claimed they had been assured by party bigwigs, including former Maharashtra chief minister and Goa Election incharge Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that Tawadkar would be made a minister on his election from Canacona constituency.
“This assurance was also given to the electorate in campaign meetings. But reports that Tawadkar is being made a Speaker has left a lot of karyakartas and electorate dejected,” said Naikgaunkar.
“With an eye on 2024 Lok Sabha polls, we had informed voters that Canacona would get a ministerial berth. Now, what should we tell the electorate when we campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections,” he asked.
On the other hand, Canacona BJP Mandal President Vishal Dessai refuted claims that workers are unhappy about Canacona MLA was not given a ministry.
“This is a big privilege that our MLA is being made a speaker, the top post in the House (Assembly). Why should anyone be unhappy with such a responsible constitutional post? In-fact, all karyakartas and voters are extremely grateful that our Canacona MLA is chosen for the post of speaker,” insisted Dessai.
