MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing some dismal developments within the party ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections. Few distressing events for the party include latest rift between Minister Milind Naik and legislator Carlos Almeida and Minister Michael Lobo being indecisive about staying loyal to his party. BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade shields the apparent discontentment in the party.
“It is election time… There was a time when we would search for a candidate to contest the polls. Today, we are in power at the Centre and in Goa… We have more than one aspirant in the Constituencies. Each one wants to contest,” said BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade on Monday while replying to media queries on Almeida’s accusation against Naik of being involved in GSUDA scam.
While the party has tried to play down the differences among the two leaders, Lobo’s hesitancy to remain intact with the party has added to the embarrassment.
Lobo, who claimed that he joined the BJP in 2005 because of then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar, has in the last few days expressed an indirect displeasure with the BJP. “I had an offer (to join another party) in 2017 but I stayed back due to Parrikar. But now I have to reconsider which party I will contest from. I will have to consult my supporters before announcing my decision,” said Lobo.
Tanavade however maintained that Lobo will remain loyal with the party. “I am not in favour of showing distrust on Lobo. He has been with BJP for several years and working since being a grassroot worker for the party. I have full trust in him,” said Tanavade.
The party is not in mood of taking disciplinary action against any of these leaders despite the internal differences spilling out in public. He said that in the current scenario no leader has spoken against the party that would warrant disciplinary action.
“There is no infighting within the party. It is mere differences, just like there are differences in families. I have to calm them down and I am on the job,” he said reacting to the overall situation while also adding, “It happens in all the parties. Differences will happen as it is election time and we are expecting more to happen in the coming days.”
Union Minister Shripad Naik, also North Goa Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), has nevertheless expressed disappointment stating that such matters should b sorted out within the four walls.
Meanwhile, the party is expected to declare candidates after the election dates are announced by the Election Commission of India. About the alliance, Tanavade said that BJP Goa Election Incharge Devendra Fadnavis is in talks with local leaders.
