MARGAO
Are the BJP cadre and the karyakartas hurt and dejected over the party’s decision to nominate Industrialist Pallavi Dempo for the South Goa seat?
The Opposition Congress and its pre-poll alliance partner Goa Forward seemed on a mission to woo and court the BJP karyakartas, offering their sympathies, after the party ignored the claim of ex-MP Narendra Sawaikar, a cadre to the core, for the party South Goa ticket.
While Goa Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Amit Patkar and Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao sought to play on the sentiments of the BJP karyakartas, Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai was categorical in conceding that he had benefitted from the BJP karyakartas in the past. He even went to the extent of saying that he would not have been an MLA had not the BJP karyakartas supported him in his elections when he had contested on three different symbols in the last 15 years.
In fact, the Congress and the Goa Forward sought to tread a cautious path in their reaction over Pallavi’s nomination for the South Goa seat. They took care to avoid any direct attack on the BJP candidate, but apparently tried to fish in trouble waters as they went overboard to court the “aggrieved” karyakartas ahead of the crucial election.
GPCC Chief Amit Patkar expressed sympathy with the BJP karyakartas saying the ruling party has given ticket to a person who joined BJP only today, but has ignored karyakartas who had worked and built the party over the years. “It's unfortunate that BJP could not find candidate within their karyakartas; Cong will win South Goa seat", Patkar asserted.
Opposition leader Yuri Alemao also echoed similar sentiments. He said the dedication, sacrifice & hard work of loyal karyakartas is laid to rest by what he termed as a the pro-crony & anti-poor BJP India by giving South Goa Lok Sabha ticket to an Industrialist. Clear reflection of helplessness of BJP Goa leadership before dictators in Delhi”, Yuri asserted.
Contrary to the statements made by the BJP leaders that the karyakartas would solidly stand by the party to wrest the South Goa seat from the Congress, Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai told the media on Monday that the BJP karyakartas, when hurt, may go and vote for anyone of their choice. “I know that the BJP karyakartas have voted for me in Fatorda, not once, but on three occasions giving me the victory”, he reminded, while conveying a message loud and clear to the BJP dispensation not to take karyakartas for granted.
