BICHOLIM
Barely after a day PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar said he was ready to support MLA Naresh Sawal if the MGP-BJP alliance ticket was allotted to the Bicholim MLA on joining the MGP, Bicholim BJP Block members said Bicholim ticket should only be given to a BJP candidate.
The members said senior BJP ministers, including BJP President Amit Shah, had assured them that the Bicholim ticket would be given only to the BJP candidate and would not be shared with the MGP.
The members were addressing a news conference at Bicholim BJP office following reports that Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal would join MGP and was likely to get the Bicholim ticket.
Block President Vallabh Salkar said the BJP Mandal would not part with the Bicholim ticket to the MGP at any cost.
“We have got an assurance from the high command and they will not betray us. We have worked hard since the last several years and MGP has no support in the taluka,” Salkar stated.
“We respect the alliance between BJP and MGP for the last five years. The alliance will continue and the chief minister had also said all the 28 seats that BJP had with it, will remain with the party,” said Salkar.
“We have strong support in the constituency and as far as MGP is concerned, they have stopped their work after 1999,” added Salkar.
Former MLA Rajesh Patnekar added that the BJP had implemented several schemes since last five years. “Bicholim seat is a sure victory for us. It's foolishness to give this seat to the MGP,” he said.
Speaking on BJP candidature in Bicholim, the block president said it would be decided by the high command. “All of us will work for the candidate, who will be decided by the final authority,” Salkar said.
