PONDA: All eyes are on by-polls in Shiroda. While BJP and MGP have already chosen their candidates, Congress is still struggling to find their candidate.
After former BJP man Mahadev Naik decided to break away from his party, there are speculations that Congress is likely to strengthen their hold on Shiroda. The Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party also expects to spring a surprise since the contest is now become a tough battle among three main parties.
Congress president Girish Chodankar and party workers claim they want to teach a lesson to their former MLA Subash Shirodkar, who they allegedly call ‘Gaddar’ or the one who betrayed the party by resigning and joining BJP.
There are atleast ten aspirants in the Congress, and sources said the party will decide on the candidate after taking the views of its workers.
Speaking to Herald, Mahadev Naik said Congress supporters met him at his residence on Friday morning inviting him to join the party. “After thinking deeply I decided to make Ghar Wapsi by re-joining the Congress. It will be up to the Congress leaders to decide their candidate for Shiroda,” said Naik.
He said he wanted to join Congress as his main aim is to defeat his arch rival Subash Shirodkar who is contesting on BJP ticket. He recalled that before joining BJP, he was a Congressman and said a formal function would be held on Sunday to re-join Congress at a hall located near Shiroda Police Outpost.
“Even if Congress does not select me as a candidate, I will support the party,” Mahadev said
“During the two terms as MLA and Minister I worked hard for development of constituency. I got my personal supporters and have a vote share of around 6000 voters. Further Congress has a traditional vote share of more than 7000 votes. In such situation, I hope to certainly win the seat for Congress,” Mahadev added.
The former minister kept his thoughts to himself and said he would comment only after MGP and BJP make formal applications to the seat.
It may be recalled that on October 16, 2018, Mahadev Naik, former BJP MLA and Industries Minister, received a major jolt after Congressman Subash Shirodkar joined the BJP in the presence of BJP high command at Delhi.
