MAPUSA
Admitting that the Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation did not happen as per expectations, State BJP President, Sadanand Tanavde on Wednesday, however, said the issue will have no impact on the election and the BJP backed candidates will win and form panchayats in most places in the State.
Tanavde also said that the good turnout in the election clearly indicated that the tide was in the favour of the BJP.
“The OBC reservation did not happen as per expectation due to paucity of time. Also it was not in the hands of the government. Since it was a court decision we had to comply with the court order. But we can take credit that the election was held only after declaring OBC reservation,” Tanavde said.
The State BJP chief was speaking to journalists after casting his vote in Pirna village.
Speaking further, Tanavde said as the party chief he had taken a firm stand that without the OBC reservation panchayat election should not be held in the State.
“Our aim to delay or postpone the election was with the sole motive of giving justice to the OBC by proper reservation process. To get the reservation as per the SC’s triple test method would have been difficult in a short span of time,” he said and added that the election had to be held due to the High Court order.
He said although the panchayat elections were not fought on party lines the good turnout showed that the election result would swing in favour of the BJP-backed candidates.
“In Pirna all the candidates supported by the BJP will get elected. Irrespective of party symbol, people of the village have come together and have given good response to our panel,” he said.
“My brother Sandeep Shet (ward 4) is also contesting here but I have not campaigned for him in the ward,” he added.
He said from morning he was getting calls from his MLAs which showed that BJP was getting good response in many constituencies and this will be proved on the day of the result.
“We have seen election results in ZP, municipality and the recent assembly elections. This panchayat election result will also go on the same lines,” he said.
