TEAM HERALD
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CALANGUTE: A change in political equations in Calangute has prompted North Goa BJP candidate and sitting MP Shripad Naik to step up his campaign in Calangute constituency on Saturday.
Naik camped in full throttle in Calangute constituency and held a series of corner meetings in Parra, Arpora-Nagoa, Calangute and Candolim in the presence of Calangute MLA Michael Lobo. Calangute Block BJP President Gurudas Shirodkar and other office bearers also campaigned for Naik.
Addressing a corner meeting near the Parra Panchayat, Lobo came down heavily on the alliance between ex-MLA Agnelo Fernandes and Calangute panchayat de facto leader Joseph Sequeira on Friday and accused them of being opportunists.
He also refuted claims that BJP is a communal party. “The Congress only wakes up during the elections and rakes up communalism and secularism issues, leaving aside other issues affecting the common man of Goa. The people of Goa are not concerned about communalism or secularism, cast or creed, but it is the leaders who are creating a communal divide for their petty interest,” he said.
Lobo claimed that Naik will be re-elected with a thumping margin of over 50,000 votes and added that the people of Calangute would support BJP for its developmental works in the coastal villages of Calangute.
Speaking at the corner meeting, Naik said he was fortunate to have been elected from North Goa for three times.
“However, I need another term to complete the shortcomings. I am begging for votes knowing very well that I have done a lot during my previous terms, though more could have been done. I have utilized MP funds for various projects, including 81 community halls, 69 crematoriums and 23 schools,” Naik told the electorate.
Commenting on communal tag attached to the BJP party, Naik said: “Our Party has never differentiated on the basis of caste, creed and religion. We have shown our secular credentials by electing six Catholic MLAs in the Goa Assembly.”
Parra Sarpanch Delilah Lobo and Parra Deputy Sarpanch Kamla Lingudkar were among those present at the corner meeting at Parra.
