BICHOLIM
A late Tuesday night deal stuck between Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Speaker Anant Shet ensured that the latter would not contest polls as a rebel candidate, while Parrikar assured that Shet, his supporters and his Mayem constituency would be given due recognition when the BJP forms the next government.
Confirming this, Shet told The Goan that he did not file his nomination as an independent candidate on Wednesday, after he and his supporters were satisfied with Parrikar's assurances to them.
On Tuesday night, Parrikar had gone to Shet's residence to persuade him not to contest the elections as an independent candidate, after he was denied the BJP ticket from Mayem constituency.
Incidentally, Parrikar first met office bearers of the Mayem BJP mandal and some panchayat members, requesting them to persuade Shet to withdraw from the elections. However, the mandal and panchayat members requested Parrikar to meet Anant Shet personally and put forth the request.
Left with no option, Parrikar then proceeded to Shet's residence, where a large number of supporters were gathered.
Initially, some supporters were annoyed with Parrikar for denying Shet the party ticket, but later settled down and Parrikar addressed the supporters in the presence of Shet.
Parrikar explained that the BJP is keen to secure full majority by winning at least 24 seats and in this regard, had decided to field a new candidate, Pravin Zantye, as they were confident about his potentials.
He admitted that the party needed to take some major decisions, as it had done before, to ensure success and secure the future of the party.
Parrikar then assured Shet's supporters that preference would be given to them while providing jobs, while Shet would be given a due and senior position in the party. He also promised that issues involving the supporters and works in the constituency would be taken up on priority once the BJP comes to power in Goa.
After listening carefully to Parrikar, Shet then asked his supporters for their opinion in the matter. The supporters finally agreed to Parrikar's proposals and gave Shet the green signal to withdraw from the elections. With the approval of his supporters, Shet then agreed to refrain from contesting as an independent candidate.
“I was to file my nomination on Wednesday, but following the meeting with Parrikar and in consultation with my supporters, I withdrew my decision to contest as independent candidate,” Shet told The Goan.
“I had undertaken a lot of development works in Mayem constituency and major issues like Custodian property, Sesa workers and grievances of farmers were resolved after my intervention. Being a loyal party worker, I never took credit for these works but I was certain that the party would have rewarded me with the ticket to contest from Mayem constituency.”
“I was, however, stunned by the party's decision to deny me the ticket. But when Parrikar personally met me and requested me to withdraw from the polls, it was my duty to respect him and withdraw from the polls.”
“I will be with BJP in the interest of the party, but I have reiterated my demand that my supporters should be first given due preference by the party,” Shet added.
