TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The BJP expects around 12,000 delegates from minority-dominated Salcete to attend Narendra Modi’s Vijay rally at Merces, even as party leaders exuded confidence that around a quarter of the total turn out for the rally will comprise of the minorities.
The party further said there was no need to cancel or reschedule the Sunday meeting in the wake of the Canacona tragedy, saying that political meetings are business meetings and not entertainment.
Addressing the media, BJP senior leader Dr Wilfred Mesquita said the party’s campaign to muster support for the Sunday rally has evoked good response from Salcete as well. “Going by the registrations, we expect around 61,000 people from South Goa to attend the rally, of which around 12,000 will be from Salcete. Around a quarter of the total turn out at the rally will be the minorities”, he said.
Replying to a question, he said the BJP expects around 1,500 people each from the constituencies of Nuvem, Velim, Benaulim and Curtorim to participate in the rally. “People are eager to attend and listen to what Narendra Modi has to say. The Sunday rally will be the biggest ever rally held in the state post-liberation”, he said, while making a fervent appeal to the people to come staggered for meting taking into account Modi’s security concerns.
On the question of Aam Admi party taking roots in Goa, Mesquita said the broom is already in the corrupt hands of the Congress. On special status, the party promised to pursue the demand with renewed vigour.
Asked whether the party is contemplating action against MLA Vishnu Wagh for his continuous tirade against the party, Mesquita said the MLA from San Andre will get disciplined.
BJP’s probable candidate for the South Goa constituency Narendra Sawaikar said it is for the party to take a call on the candidate for South Goa. “I am a loyal soldier of the party. I will accept the party decision on the ticket”, he said.
