‘Deprived’, Naik plans to quit Congress, join BJP
Rebel Congress leader Adv Ashok Naik from Dabolim constituency, who was tipped off to be the next party candidate from that seat, has decided to join BJP and support Mauvin Godinho, which will bolster party’s prospects in the constituency. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Advocate Ashok Naik claimed that Congress ditched him, despite he being a senior Congress functionary from Dabolim. Congress gave ticket to someone who had no political experience. He came down heavily on GPCC president Luizinho Faleiro for creating all mess which subsequently failed to form a grand alliance in between the secular forces. "Though I was told by the party to start preparing for the elections, however, at last moment Congress declared my candidature unfit. Similarly, they then started sidelining me and other booth committee members of Dabolim Congress block. Upset with such discrimination, I along with about 600 active Congress workers have pledged support to the Dabolim BJP candidate Mauvin Godinho. Similarly, I have also decided to become a primary member of BJP in Dabolim constituency," he said. Expressing happiness over receiving support of Adv Naik, Dabolim BJP candidate Mauvin Godinho has said, "I am happy that Naik and others have realised how Congress ditches loyalist. This support would boost my campaign and rejoin to strengthen BJP in Dabolim and all over the state. Naik was one of the generals I had when I was with Congress. Whatever developmental proposals have been placed by Naik is already part of my poll plank.