Karyakarta says will contest as independent if denied party ticket to contest upcoming elections
CANACONA
A revolt is brewing within the BJP for the Poinguinim seat, with former Poinguinim deputy sarpanch and BJP karyakarta Vipin Prabhugaonkar warning that he would contest the Poinguinim Zilla Panchayat elections if denied the party ticket.
Addressing a news conference on Monday, Prabhugaonkar said he, as well as his mother and his wife, have served as members in the Poinguinim panchayat.
“Our family has over 24 years of political experience as public representatives. As an active BJP worker, I have also worked for BJP’s ex-MLA Vijay Pai Khot and current MLA and Minister Ramesh Tawadkar,” said Prabhugaonkar.
“As the party is preparing for the ZP polls, I conveyed to Tawadkar and other party office-bearers to allot me a BJP ticket to contest for the ZP seat from the Poinguinim constituency in Canacona taluka. I am confident that I will get the BJP ticket.”
“If, however, by any chance the party refuses me the ticket, I will certainly contest the ZP elections as an independent from Poinguinim.”
Prabhugaonkar said that for the last eight months he has been in contact with voters of all four panchayats — Poinguinim, Gaondongrim, Khotigao and Loliem-Polem — which fall under the Poinguinim ZP.
“Now that the election date has been announced, we have started campaigning again,” said Prabhugaonkar.
Asked if he would withdraw his threat if coaxed by the BJP leadership, Prabhugaonkar replied: “That is not possible now as I am already ahead in my campaign. But the party has asked me to wait till Wednesday, and I will wait accordingly. After that, I will submit my nomination as an independent candidate for ZP Poinguinim,” Prabhugaonkar added.
