CURCHOREM: Tremors of Nilesh Cabral’s sudden resignation from the cabinet can still be felt in Curchorem, with the women now threatening to boycott the Lok Sabha elections due next year.
Many members of the BJP Mahila Morcha questioned the need to drop Nilesh when according to them, other ministers could have been dropped.
“When we had our own majority, there was no need to import MLAs from other parties and then asked our loyal soldier to step down so that a defector could be satisfied,” said one agitated woman.
The large number of women gathered near Nilesh Cabral’s residence threatened to work against the BJP candidate at the Lok Sabha elections on grounds that they do not have to go by the party directions when the party leadership does not consider their feelings.
Even though he resigned two days ago as a minister, large number of people were seen visiting Nilesh Cabral at his residence to pledge their unwavering support to him.
His sudden resignation shocked not only his supporters, but even party workers who were upset with their party High Command particularly since Cabral was elected for the third consecutive term on the BJP ticket.
“He was one of the most efficient ministers in the government and has unfortunately been a victim of dirty politics,” said Pradip Kakodkar, a chartered accountant who expressed confidence that Nilesh Cabral will bounce back.
AAP leader Jamesh Fernandes however said that this development will bring down Nilesh’s arrogance and teach other politicians to be respectful to the people who elect them.
“What is crystal clear with this development is that the BJP is totally corrupt and that is why they asked a loyal party worker to resign to pave way for a party hopper to be inducted as a minister,” he said.
Senior BJP leader Ashish Karmali said party workers from the constituency are totally disillusioned and disheartened. “He was known for his quick decisions due to which he has changed the face of this city,” he said.
Recalling that Nilesh had totally transformed the functioning of the Electricity Department, Karmali said Cabral was in the process of cleansing the mess in PWD when he was asked to step down.
Meanwhile, Nilesh Cabral clarified that he was not forced to resign but only asked to do so and that he complied with the request because he was a loyal party worker.
“I may have been arrogant with officials who were not doing their work, but I was never arrogant with the people,” he said clarifying on the charge of being arrogant.
“I had given my personal mobile number to people and used to attend to all calls when I was the minister for power,” he recalled wondering how people could call him arrogant.
Reiterating his loyalty to the BJP, he said he will speak to his supporters and workers who are upset at the moment and said that he would work hard to win both the Lok Sabha seats for the party.
