Team Herald
PANJIM: The Congress Legislative party (CLP) has decided to approach disgruntled BJP leaders in Mandrem and Shiroda constituency for support to ensure defeat of their former MLAs and defectors Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar for the upcoming by-elections.
CLP led by Chandrakant Kavlekar on Tuesday held its meeting to chalk out a strategy for the by-elections which are due in Mandrem and Shiroda constituency post resignation of their MLA Sopte and Shirodkar.
Sources revealed that MLAs were of the opinion that the party should take the opportunity of the current political turmoil within BJP to ensure its victory. It has been decided to approach former chief minister and BJP Mandrem MLA Laxmikant Parsekar and former Industries Minister and Shiroda MLA Mahadev Naik for support.
“While Parsekar has already expressed his anger against the party, Naik is not in Goa. Our party president Girish Chodankar has already contacted Parsekar and has sought support. Parsekar has not given any commitment so far, but we are hopeful of positive response,” sources said.
Parsekar has publicly promised to work against Sopte, his arch rival. Sopte, former Congress MLA, had defeated Parsekar during 2017 assembly election. On the other hand, Shirodkar had defeated Naik.
Speaking to media persons post meeting, Kavlekar said that MLAs are committed to ensure party’s victory in both the constituencies and hence will take all possible steps.
