PANJIM: The BJP decision to leave out two prominent leaders – Anant Shet and Ramesh Tawadkar – from the candidate list has come as a big surprise to many. 

Even before the code of conduct came into force, BJP State Unit President Vinay Tendulkar had announced that two to three MLAs would not be granted tickets. 

While a section felt it could be Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar and Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar, others said it could be Shet and Tawadkar. “None of the office bearers knew who would be axed, except for top brass,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

Keeping Tawadkar out came as the bigger surprise as he is considered to be a Schedule Tribe leader and has been a two-time MLA. Inquiries revealed that Tawadkar’s fate was sealed during the 2014 Lusofonia Games when he entered into an altercation with the BJP office-bearers.