the goan I network
MARGAO
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state will focus on promoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s achievements as the ruling party kick-started its election campaign on Thursday. South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar filed his nomination papers for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat, on the same day.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Deputy Chief Minister Babu Azgaonkar, Panchayat Minister and Sawaikar’s election campaign chief Mauvin Godinho and Sawaikar claimed that Modi’s performance in the last five years and Parrikar’s achievement will help BJP win both the Lok Sabha seats in the state. The party is aware that contentious issues such as mining shutdown and recent political developments will come to haunt the party by denting its vote. To avoid this, BJP leaders will bank on promoting the idea that a vote for Sawaikar is a vote for a second term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, during his media interaction after party South Goa candidate Narendra Sawaikar filed his nomination papers, said in unambiguous terms that people of South Goa will give a huge victory for Sawaikar to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Modi. “People have seen the performance of the Modi government at the centre and how Sawaikar, through his simplicity has identified himself with the issues facing the common man,” the Chief Minister remarked.
“The split in the MGP, I am sure will not affect the party in the ensuing elections. People of Goa know whose government they want at the centre. These political developments will not impact the people,” Sawant said, adding “the BJP is not into poaching politics. We have not brought the MGP MLAs into our party by force,” he added.
On mining ban, the chief minister sought to down play the issue, but hastened to add that only Modi can resolve the crisis. “I hail from the mining belt. I have initiated talks with the mining dependents on how to resolve the issue,” he added.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho, who has been appointed Sawaikar’s campaign manager, echoed similar sentiments. “There’s a wave in favour of Modi across the country and Goa is no exception. People of Goa are aware that the ensuing election is not a local election, but an election which will determine how to take the country forward. People of Goa will vote for Narendra Modi,” Mauvin said.
Deputy Chief Minister Babu Azgaonkar, who joined the BJP just a day ago, was more forthright when he asserted that the BJP will seek votes for Sawaikar in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. “Manohar Parrikar had won the hearts of the people of Goa with his social welfare schemes, which has benefited all sections, irrespective of caste or creed. At the national level, Modi’s performance is there for all to see and the future government will be headed by Modi,” Azgaonkar said, while saying that the party will seek votes in the name of Modi.
South Goa candidate Narendra Sawaikar exuded confidence of retaining the seat. “People of Goa have seen a development oriented government under PM Modi at the centre. Goa has benefited immensely on the infrastructure development front,”
he said. BANKING ON LEGACY
The party is aware that contentious issues such as mining shutdown and recent political developments will come to haunt the party by denting its vote
To avoid this, BJP leaders will bank on promoting the idea that a vote for Narendra Sawaikar is a vote for a second term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Deputy Chief Minister Babu Azgaonkar, Panchayat Minister and Sawaikar’s election campaign chief Mauvin Godinho claimed that Narendra Modi’s performance in the last five years and later Manohar Parrikar’s achievement will help BJP win both the Lok Sabha seats in the state
