TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The private bus operators have decided to reach out to voters through their buses. In a unique way of campaigning, All Goa Private Bus Owners Association (AGPBOA) on Wednesday said that they will appeal to their passengers to vote against corrupt candidates.
The association with almost 150 members and more then 1400 registered buses, has already started the campaign in Madkai and Priol constituencies, targeting transport minister Ramakrishna (Sudin) and Deepak Dhavalikar.
AGPBOA general secretary Sudip Tamankar told reporters that the association has launched its campaign against Dhavalikar brothers, wherein they will make sure that people vote against them.
“We have been getting good response from passengers and public at large here,” he claimed adding “campaign will further intensify covering the rest of the 38 constituencies, shortly.”
Tamankar said that like fielding Ritesh Naik, son of Home Minister Ravi Naik in Madkai, attempts are being made to support candidate contesting against Deepak in Priol.
“Time has come when these people need to be shown their actual place. If they don’t retire from politics, we should retire them,” he said accusing Dhavalikar brothers as most corrupt leaders.
Meanwhile, the association, which by and large has been a major supporter of BJP has now warned the party from forming pre-poll alliance with MGP for the coming elections.
“We have already told the BJP that if they have an alliance with the MGP, we would campaign against them. This election, bus owners will play a major role in bringing in a new government,” he said.
“In case an alliance materializes, BJP would not have the right to talk about corruption or illegalities as it will be inducting two most corrupt leaders by having an alliance with the MGP,” Tamankar added.
The bus owners have demanded that BJP should give Margao ticket to councilor Avinash Shirodkar while Poriem to Govind Gawade. “We have given a list of 4-5 aspirants that are willing to contest on BJP ticket with our support,” Tamankar added.
