CANACONA
Days after state BJP leader Rajendra Arlekar was appointed governor of Himachal Pradesh, BJP State Vice President and former minister Ramesh Tawadkar was elevated and appointed as associate chief (Saha-Pramuk) of the BJP’s SC/ST Morcha for Dadra, Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
In an appointment letter handed over to Tawadkar by BJP Rajya Sabha MP and party vice president Samir Oraon, Tawadkar is also appointed as vice president of BJP SC/ST Morcha of Gujarat.
When contacted, Tawadkar said he was elated on the new role, but insisted that his claim still stood for the Canacona party ticket at the upcoming assembly elections.
“I will work as Associate Chief (Saha-Pramuk), and not incharge as has been incorrectly spread on social media, to the BJP’s SC/ST Morcha of Dadra, Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. I am also appointed vice president of BJP SC/ST Morcha of Gujarat,” said Tawadkar.
“It is my privilege to work for BJP’s organisational development and I wholeheartedly accept this responsibility and will certainly use my vast experience to work towards the welfare and development of the community.”
“Leaving my experience aside, the new responsibility given by my party will also help me learn more and this will also benefit my people in Goa as well. It is certainly a privilege for me,” said Tawadkar.
Asked if this elevation and position outside Goa would prevent him from staking claim to the party ticket in Canacona constituency at the upcoming assembly polls, Tawadkar replied in the negative.
“My new responsibility has nothing to do with my claim to the BJP ticket to contest the next assembly elections from Canacona constituency, which I will contest. My claim for the party ticket is already there with the party,” said Tawadkar.
Tawadkar had been denied the BJP ticket for Canacona in the 2017 assembly elections at the last minute and rebelled against the BJP by contesting as an independent candidate.
He lost the elections to then Congress candidate Isidore Fernandes by splitting BJP votes with party candidate Vijay Poi Khot.
Tawadkar and the BJP later patched up and he was appointed the party’s state vice president and elevated as Secretary of BJP (National) Tribal Wing. Last year, he was appointed as chairperson of the Goa State SC/ST Commission.
