MARGAO
The BJP received a boost in Fatorda ahead of the 2022 Assembly election on Wednesday, with the party inducting two persons from Pajifond ward into the party fold, even as Deputy Chief Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar issued a warning that the party and its cadre will not keep silent if any of the workers from Pajifond are targeted by the rivals.
Raju Raune, who had surprised all poll pundits and came close to win the Pajifond seat before going down to Goa Forward candidate, Raju Naik, along with Kalpana Desai and their supporters embraced the BJP in the presence of the deputy Chief Minister, Ajgaonkar, State party president Sadanand Tanavade and Damu Naik.
Embracing the BJP on the occasion of his birthday, Raune said he has consulted his friends and supporters before taking the decision to join the ruling party. “We had left Damu Naik around 10 years ago. And, now we are all back to strengthen the party and Damu Naik”, Raune said.
Kalpana Desai, who also joined the BJP, said she was part of the Goa Forward having supported the party in two elections, but was ignored and denied the ticket for the Pajifond ward when the ward was reserved for women,.
While welcoming the duo in the party-fold, Tanavade said people are joining the BJP as the government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is doing good work. “Raju Raunje had shown his strength in the Civic polls, while Kalpana has done work in the ward. Their work will help the BJP in Fatorda in 2022”, he said.
In his address, Dy CM Manohar Ajgaonkar slammed Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai, charging him for neglected Fatorda’s development and challenged him to show the number of jobs provided by him to the youth of Fatorda.
Ajgaonkar warned that he and the party leadership will not tolerate any goondagiri or harassment to the party workers from the party rivals, while showering praises on Damu for taking the party forward.
