Congress leader and strong contender for the South Goa Lok Sabha ticket, Girish Chodankar seen in the chamber of Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirokdar on Thursday.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Even as suspense continues over the choice of Congress party candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa, a strong contender for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat ticket, Girish Chodankar on Thursday charged that "the BJP and Brand Dempo" are working overtime so that he does not get the Congress ticket to contest the May 7 election.
The ex-GPCC chief made a surprise appearance in the chamber of the Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar and was closeted with the Chairperson and other Councillors for some time. Chodankar, however, clarified that he just visited the MMC Chairperson’s chamber when he went to inquire about a tax-related matter.
Later speaking to the media on his prospects of getting the Congress ticket for South Goa, Chodankar said the process to decide on the party tickets has been set in motion from Wednesday, adding that candidates for the two seats will be finalised soon.
He, however, charged that the BJP and "Brand Dempo" are working overtime to ensure that he does not get the Congress ticket to contest the South Goa seat.
“I am given to understand that the BJP will go to any extent to foil my bid to get the ticket. Sometime back, the ruling party had tried to tarnish my image through social media. I would like to, however, state that I am overwhelmed by the response I received from the people of South Goa for my candidature,” he said.
Asked to comment on the notices served on the Aam Admi Party leaders by the Enforcement Directorate, Chodankar squarely blamed the BJP for targeting the Bhahujan Samaj and trying to finish their leadership.
“The BJP has been harassing the Scheduled Tribes with the promise of giving them political reservations, only to forget the promise after the elections. The BJP is taking every step to finish the leadership of the Bahujan Samaj, who are being used during elections and then discarded,” he said.
