the goan I network
MARGAO
While asserting that the BJP is gearing to go all out to contest all the 50 Zilla Panchayat seats on the party banner in the March 15 election, State BJP President Sadanand Shet Tanavade, however, dropped hints that the party may go in for “adjustments” in certain seats after consultation with the party leadership.
He also parried a question whether the BJP will have any tie-up with other political parties and groups, saying all these issues will come up only at a later stage. He further said that the contentious Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) will not in any way affect the BJP from wining majority seats in the two Zilla Panchayat seats.
Addressing the media after interaction with the newly-elected South BJP district Committee members here on Monday, Tanavade said that the BJP will go all out and field candidates on the party banner in the coming election.
When specifically questioned whether BJP will allow the Congress-turned-BJP MLAs to field independent candidates, especially in minority Catholic constituencies, Tanavade said all these questions will come up at a later stage, adding that party leadership will take a call on adjustments at the constituency level.
“Let me make clear that the BJP will fight the elections on the party banner. We don’t see the situation in the 10 Assembly seats represented by the congress-turned-BJP MLAs differently. But, if the situation warrants, the Party will make some adjustments here and there,” he said, while asked whether the party will allow the newly-joined MLAs to field candidates in the coming polls.
On the allocation of tickets, Tanavade said that the party will shortlist and finalize the candidates as per the procedure, saying the local MLAs as well as the senior party leaders will be taken on board after taking all the leaders and workers into confidence,” he added.
On the BJP entering into a tie-up with other parties and individual groups in the ZP polls, Tanavade said the party will take a decision, if any, at the right time.
When asked to comment on reports that Independent MLA and Minister Govind Gawde is likely to join the BJP, the state BJP Chief said though Gawde is with the BJP, no discussions have taken place to take him into the party.
