PANJIM: Ignoring the growing criticism on his frequent visits to Goa, which gained momentum after the Uri terror attack, Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar arrived in the State on Wednesday to participate in the meeting to chalk out the strategy for the 2017 Assembly polls.
“Parrikar has arrived in Goa and will be here till Friday morning. From here, he will leave for the party national executive meeting in Kerala,” State BJP President Vinay Tendulkar said.
He also said that Parrikar, the party’s star campaigner, will campaign for the BJP by visiting the villages in the coming days.
Replying to a question on Parrikar’s frequent visits to Goa, Tendulkar said, “If you were made Defence Minister, would you not have come home? Would you have stayed back in Delhi?”
The party also shot back at the Congress calling Parrikar a “part-time Defence Minister” stating that the opposition needs to be more focused on their party organization than on Parrikar.
Meanwhile, Union Shipping Minister and BJP Goa desk in charge Nitin Gadkari also arrived in Goa on Wednesday evening for a three-day visit, during which he will hold a series of meetings with party leaders to discuss strategy for the 2017 elections. He will, however, hold no discussion on the alliance with Maharashtrwadi Gomantak Party (MGP). The first round of alliance talks will be held after October 3. BJP has also decided to announce its candidates only after the poll notification is issued.
This is Gadkari’s maiden visit to Goa after being appointed as the party desk in charge for the 2017 elections. He also led the charge during the 2012 polls that saw BJP winning with a clear majority.
“On Thursday morning Gadkari will address ministers and MLAs of the party and in the evening he will chair a core committee meeting,” Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar said Gadkari will address party workers on Friday in the presence of ministers and MLAs. “This will be the first meeting with the in charge who will guide us on how to prepare ourselves for the election,” he said.
Tendulkar clarified that there will not be any alliance talks with MGP during Gadkari’s visit. “The alliance negotiations will begin only after October 3, when the first round will be held,” he said.
Expressing confidence that the BJP and MGP will be able to forge an alliance for the elections, Tendulkar said that ‘irrespective of any rumors, MGP and BJP have a strong relationship and the chemistry will continue for the coming polls”.
Asked about MGP expanding its base in constituencies BJP is eyeing, Tendulkar said, “Just like BJP, MGP as a political party has a right to strengthen its base and grow.”
