MARGAO
Congress-turned-BJP MLA Wilfred D’Sa has said that his workers will take a final call whether he should contest the 2022 Assembly election on the Lotus symbol or as an independent or on the banner of any other political party.
Amidst reports that his workers favour that he seek re-election as an independent candidate, the Nuvem MLA admitted that most of his supporters want him to contest as an independent, but hastened to add that the question will be decided on the eve of the coming election.
Reiterating that he had joined the BJP not for any position, but solely keeping in mind the development of his constituency, the Nuvem MLA said he did not insist on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to make him a Minister, but only asked him to support him to usher in development. “I and my workers are happy that we could take up a host of development works, including roads and works under WRD”, he said.
To a question whether his decision to join the BJP will not cost him dearly given that Nuvem hardly had any BJP presence, Wilfred said his people have understood why he had to join the BJP.
When pointed out that his opponents are not leaving any opportunity to paint him as a BJP men, he said two of his predecessors had in the past had hobnobbed with the BJP in the last two decades.
Meanwhile, the Nuvem MLA told the media that he has undertaken construction of a pathway for the farmers of Dulape to give them access to their fields and not to develop land.
He along with the farmers descended at the fields of Dulape where the work of pathway was underway to clarify that the pathway in question is being developed for the farmers and not for anything else.
BJP top guns land in Nuvem
to boost morale of Wilfred
MARGAO: Conveying a message loud and clear that the party will go all out to stand by its MLAs, the BJP top brass comprising Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Party president Sadanand Tanavade and Organizing secretary Satish Dhond descended on Nuvem, to express their solidarity with party MLA Wilfred D’Sa.
Party leaders, former South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar and Damu Naik also addressed the media on Monday evening, warning Aam Aadmi Party that the ruling party will respond with its all might if any further attempts are being made to target its MLAs and leaders.
Sources said the Chief Minister, party president, the all-powerful organizing secretary called on the Nuvem MLA while returning from the Dabolim airport after extending wishes to Himachal Pradesh Governor-designate Rajendra Arlekar.
The Nuvem MLA, who was heading toward Panaji and had reached Agassaim, returned home after being informed about the trio’s visit.
Sources say the visit by the BJP top brass is an indication that the party leadership has reassured the Nuvem MLA that the party will stand by them and will not tolerate such incidents.
D’Sa appeared happy over the visit by the Chief Minister and the party leaders, saying the trio paid a courtesy visit on him to reassure their support and solidarity with him.
Meanwhile, party leaders Narendra Sawaikar and Damu Naik warned Aam Aadmi Party leaders and others that they will have to pay a price if they continue targeting party MLAs.
While condemning the Nuvem incident in the strongest terms, Sawaikar warned that the Party will strike back with all its force if any attempts are being made to mete out harassment to the Party MLAs and their families. “We stand by Wilfred and his entire family. If the Aam Aadmi Party and its leaders repeat what they did in Nuvem, our party will not remain quite”, he warned.
Damu said AAP had no right to go the houses of MLAs and disturb their families. “If they have any issues, they could have met the MLAs in their offices and not in their houses. We should not forget that these 10 congress MLAs had joined the BJP to save Goa which was facing destruction by conversions of land”, he said, while warning that AAP will have to pay a price for such publicity stunts.
