PANJIM: With only fortnight left for crucial Panjim by-election, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who had been ruling the constituency since 1994, on Wednesday began process to unite its strength in the assembly segment by distributing different responsibilities for party MLAs and office bearers.
The move comes as the party’s candidate Sidharth Kuncalienker is facing a tough three corner fight from Congress’ Atanasio Monserrate, Goa Suraksha Manch Subhash Velingkar and Aam Aadmi Party’s Valmiki Naik.
The meeting held in a starred hotel in the capital city was chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in presence of party’s State organizational secretary Satish Dhond. While majority of the MLAs remained absent for the meeting owing to prior engagements, the party leaders, including senior former MLAs, discussed on possibilities to get together its strengths in this constituency which was earlier represented by Manohar Parrikar.
Emerging from the meeting, Sawant expressed confidence that the party will retain the seat, banking on the massive support of the workers and voters, who have stood by BJP for last 25 years. “We are hundred percent confident of winning the seat with comfortable margin. Congress has never won the seat after 1989, while BJP under Parrikar had been ruling it since 1994,” he said.
Sawant said that party has a strong organizational base in Panjim, which will help Kuncalienker to retain the seat.
Kuncalienker, who was also present for the meeting said that the party is targeting over 10,000 votes. “Our campaign began during the Lok Sabha polls only,” he said. Kuncalienker said that party see every election as a challenge irrespective of whether the opponent is strong or weak candidate. “Since, we are left with few days, CM has asked all the MLAs to campaign in the constituency and accordingly booths are distributed,” he said.
The BJP candidate said, “Parrikar was a tall leader who was leading our every election planning and campaign and hence his absence will always be felt”.
Countering opposition chargers on smart city, Kuncalienker said that Congress should not try to mislead the public alike Rafale issue.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said that the meeting was called to review the preparation for Panjim elections. “Since it is a capital seat, we have to win it with comfortable margin to give it a capital status and that was the focus of our meeting today,” he said.
Godinho said that all the 33 booths are been distributed amongst the BJP leaders, who are given responsibility to work and campaign in those areas.
“In a bid to ensure government stability, strengthen party bases and to continue developmental works, BJP has to win all the six seats- two Lok Sabha and four by-elections,” he said adding ‘we are confident of winning it 6- 0’.
The meeting was also attended by BJP general secretary Sadanand Tanawade, Power Minister Nilesh Cabral, Social Welfare Minister Milind Naik, MLA Alina Saldanha, MLA Glen Ticlo, office bearers Rajendra Arlekar, Ramesh Tawadkar, Ganesh Gaonkar and others.
