Team Herald 

Ponda: For six to eight months there has been speculation about Shiroda MLA Subash Shirodkar joining the BJP. In fact, there articles in the daily Marathi press. 

However, Subash Shirodkar always denied it whilst speaking to local reporters stating that he was a Congressman and would remain one. Even on Monday (Oct 15) when the foundation stone for the Kala and Sankriti Bhavan were laid in his Constituency at the hands of Arts and Culture Minister he had denied he would shift over to the BJP. The two projects are estimated to cost Rs 2 crore. However, within twenty-four hours he took a U turn and joined the BJP. This surprised not only the journalists in Ponda but also traditional Congress voters leaving them gob smacked at this unexpected move by the senior leader.

However, Congress Party MLA Subash Shirodkar entry into the BJP has not surprised his supporters as he had conducted a meeting. He had indicated that he would join the BJP for the development work but it did surprise the Congress traditional voters and loyal Congress Party Workers at Shiroda.  

Traditional Congress workers speaking on condition of anonymity said they never expected it from a senior Congress Leader who had also remained as the Goa Party President and was loyal to the party for over three decades. Some voters on condition of anonymity said that they were shocked with the news and it was unexpected for them from a long serving Congress Party leader. This was also unexpected because the National party had a very good chance of forming the government in the state in case the ruling party failed. Other voters felt this was a move of the BJP keeping an eye on the LS Election to garner votes from the Shiroda Contituency.