Team Herald
PANJIM: Close on the heels of the senior party leader and former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar revolting against the party’s decision to induct his bête noire Dayanad Sopte into its fold, the BJP’s Yuva Morcha too has now raised a banner of revolt against the same issue.
In a major political coup, two Congress leaders – Subash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte recently resigned from the Congress to join the BJP.
The move was seen as major setback to the Congress reduced its strength to 14 at par with the BJP in the 40-member Assembly.
“The trend of importing MLAs and leaders from Congress is on since last elections. First it was Pandurang Madkaikar and Mauvin Godinho and thereafter it was Vishwajit Rane,” said BJYM members on condition of anonymity.
They asked how long will the import continue?
“We are all here as we have political ambitions but if you keep on importing people from Congress how will the party grow?” they asked.
Sources also revealed the BJYJM office bearers have raised a red flag even before BJP State president Vinay Tendulkar.
“This is not the issue of importing leaders. We are also giving them plum portfolios at the cost of our karyakartas. How long can this continue?” they asked.
They pointed out that Shirodkar during his induction had claimed more defections are likely.
“We have told the leaders we are not in favour of such moves. How will the karyakartas work? For example EDC has been removed from Siddharth who had helped lot of us but now what? Someone new will take over and don’t know how we will help the unemployed youth through EDC,” they stated.
BJYM office bearers Pranay Mainkar and Gajajan Tilve were, however, mum on the issue.
“There is nothing like that. Whatever decision has taken has been thoughtful and for betterment of the party,” Tilve, General Secretary – BJYM, told reporters. at a press conference.
Asked whether they do not have any issues with their party importing leaders, Tilve said, “I told you. The decision has to be taken by our leaders and they are doing what is best for the party.”
The development comes at a time when the BJP is contemplating to replace ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in view of his deteriorating health.
