You have been winning the MP elections on the past three occasions. How do you feel going into battle this time?
I don’t feel there is any tough fight. There is no strong opposition. Let there be any candidate, our positive and constructive work will help BJP to sail smoothly in this election. I am confident of winning with the highest ever margin.
So there is no threat from Ravi Naik or AAP’s Dataram Desai.
Absolutely not. My political career has been very clean so far compared to the candidate fielded by Congress, who is into corruption and criminal offences. We will not have to tell the voters not to vote for Congress or to vote for BJP. Voters are educated and they know whom they need to elect.
Desai is a new candidate from a very new party (AAP) and he might require some time to establish his and his party base in North Goa.
Is there any anti-incumbency factor in North Goa? Vishnu Wagh tried to gain the North Goa ticket. There were also news of he leaving the party and contesting against you, so now does his opposition still continue?
There is no any anti-incumbency factor in North Goa. As far as Wagh is concerned, he has extended his full support to the party and his St Andre people are working for BJP. Wagh is currently unwell and hence could not participate in the campaign. Every political leader has right to fight for Lok sabha or Assembly election ticket. But unfortunately, party high command was not in favour of giving ticket to him as they did not want to take chance. I wish all the very best to him in the near future.
Will Narendra Modi factor work for Goa? What is the response you are getting in North Goa?
Modi factor will definitely have great impact on the elections. We saw the huge response he received during the rally held in January. Good governance and development is the base of BJP for this election.
We have been receiving very good response in North. People are very happy with BJP-government in Goa.
Government is seen working for development of state and backward communities. There is no negative wave towards BJP.
Do you feel people are unhappy with the government on mining and Medium of Instruction issues?
I don’t feel people are unhappy with the State government over any issue.
As far as MOI is concern, government has taken a decision that will benefit everyone. It is a consolidated decision. We have not back-stabbed anyone. Government being a continuous process, grants to minority school have been continued. On mining front, Union Ministry played dirty game with Goa ensuring that mining does not resume in the state and people blame BJP for the same.
Are we going to see Shripad Naik contesting his last MP elections? Is it retirement time?
Yes! This will be probably my last Parliamentary election. We need to encourage younger generation to take up politics. This time also I had told the party senior leaders that I would not like to contest, but since now our aim is to bring BJP to power at the Centre, they did not want to take any chance.
