PANJIM: Notwithstanding resentment from some of its leaders, BJP is keen on sealing names of Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte for Shiroda and Mandrem constituencies respectively for the ensuing by-elections.
BJP State President Vinay Tendulkar has hinted that the two former Congress MLAs could be the face of BJP in their respective constituencies. “They were sitting MLAs (at the time of withdrawing support from Congress). Any MLA who quits a party (and joins another party) has a desire to contest (the elections). The National (BJP) president (Amit Shah) had told them (Shirodkar and Sopte) to work for the party. In any case, the Central Committee will decide who will be given the ticket,” he said.
When asked on former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s threat to contest Mandrem by-elections independently, Tendulkar declined to comment. Parsekar had threatened his party to heed to his supporters’ demand to contest the Mandrem by election independently if he was denied party ticket. He had also expressed reservations for inducting the two ex-Congress legislators ‘without consulting anyone.’
With Mapusa seat also falling vacant, this time owing to MLA Francis D’Souza’s death last month, the BJP has been approached by five persons including the late MLA’s son for contesting the by-elections. D’Souza’s son Joshua, Pradeep Joshi, Rupesh Kamat, Sudhir Kandolkar and Martin Carasco have shown interest to contest the by-election from Mapusa. On being asked who was the front-runner, Tendulkar played safe stating they would arrive at a decision after taking into confidence the booth karyakartas, Mapusa councillors and others.
Meanwhile, for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, BJP’s Shripad Naik and Narendra Sawaikar are on an aggressive campaign in their respective constituencies indicating they could once again be the contenders for the parliamentary elections. “They are almost confirmed… Both are active in their constituencies,” Tendulkar said adding that the party has also begun an extensive campaign such as booth level meetings, door-to-door campaign, etc. for the Lok Sabha elections.
