PANAJI
After Digambar Kamat, Canacona MLA and Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar has declined BJP’s offer to contest the South Goa Lok Sabha seat as he wants to continue his work at “grass root” level. However, the tribal leader said that he will adhere to high command “wish”, if they chose him.
After contesting against BJP in 2017 Assembly elections following denial of ticket, Tawadkar had re-joined BJP ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls. He was then offered a party ticket in 2022 State Assembly polls from Canacona.
The saffron party has now shortlisted Tawadkar’s name as one of the probable candidates for South Goa seat, along with four others including another tribal leader Chandrakant Kavlekar.
“It is very obvious that my name is under discussion for the ticket. This is all because of my hard work and ground work that I have done over the years for tribal people, in the field of education, culture, social sector…I have been in touch with workers and people,” Tawadkar said.
“But, I have told the party that for now, I am not ready for MP’s position. I want to continue my work as MLA for my people. I have lots of work to be completed at the grass root level,” he said adding ‘I want to complete projects like Shram Dham, Swayampurna Goem”.
“Even after this, if my party wants me to contest… if they feel that I can win… the party needs me at the Centre… then as a loyal worker, I will abide by their wish. But I have told my party that I want to complete my term as MLA for my people,” he added.
Tawadkar also said that he is not interested to be a Minister in the State Cabinet and he wants to continue in the Speaker’s chair for the entire term.
BJP State unit has submitted five names -- Tawadkar, Digambar Kamat, Chandrakant Kavlekar, Narendra Sawaikar and Damu Naik -- to BJP’s parliamentary board for final decision. BJP is expected to declare party candidates once the poll dates are announced.
