Dashing all hopes and expectations amongst the BJP leadership that rebel leader Satyavijai Naik will fall in line after a late night meeting with party president Vinay Tendulkar and South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, the ground reality failed to change as Naik refused to withdraw his nomination papers for the Davorlim seat in the run up to the Zilla Panchayat elections
While as many as four candidates, who had filed nomination papers for Davorlim, withdrew their nomination papers on Monday, Satyavijai is very much present in the fray, leaving the BJP leadership embarrassed. It is learnt that both Tendulkar and Sawaikar had called on Satyavijai Naik near his residence as a last ditch attempt to convince him to stay away from the fray. Sources said the rebel leader was also given attractive offers by the two leaders, but that too failed to convince Satyavijai to do a re-think on his decision to quit the party and withdraw his candidature.
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When Herald contacted Tendulkar for his comments on the development for the Davorlim seat, he said since Satyavijai has not withdrawn from the fray, the party is going all out in support of party candidate Ulhas Tuenkar. He said that party state secretary and BJP Muslim face Sheikh Jina is very much part of the BJP and would canvass for the party in support of Tuenkar. “Savaikar and me had a meeting last night to persuade Satyavijai to do a rethink so that the leadership should not be blamed tomorrow for doing nothing to get him out of the fray”, Tendulkar said, while disputing Satyavijai’s claim that 44 members have resigned from the Navelim block, saying only around 10-12 workers might have gone out of the party along with the rebel leader.
Meanwhile, taking the setback in its stride, the BJP had a meeting of its workers at Davorlim on Monday evening, which was attended by Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado, BJP president, Vijai Tendulkar and Sheikh Jina. The meeting was ostensibly held as a show of strength to send a message to the workers that the developments triggered by the rebels will not have any impact on the party candidate Ulhas Tuenkar.
