PANJIM: BJP karyakartas of St Andre constituency who were agitated over the reported entry of MLA of St Andre Francisco Silveira into BJP met the State unit President Vinay Tendulkar at the party head office, wherein they were assured by Tendulkar that there is no such move proposed by the party.
The party leaders said that the rumours may be a handiwork of disgruntled MLAs of the opposition who are trying desperately to get entry into ruling dispensation, but that the party and government has no place for them.
The delegation of party workers led by St Andre Mandal President Ravindra Borkar, candidate of the party for 2017 assembly Ramrao Wagh and other members of the mandal and party workers held discussion with party president.
Tendulkar told them that, “There are set of MLAs from Congress who are interested in joining the party, but we have not responded positively to them keeping in mind the support of our coalition partners who have stood by us in difficult times.”
Party workers informed him that Silveira himself and his supporters are contacting locals and even BJP karyakartas telling them that he is joining BJP and soliciting their help.
This has created confusion in the party cadre as well as locals who are questioning the local leaders. Hence, they had approached the party leaders.
They also informed that BJP local leaders under the leadership of Ramrao Wagh is doing excellent work and have regained the lost support over past years and now in a position to wrest this seat back from Congress. Ramrao Wagh claimed that Silveira is worried due to this and hence is desperately trying to gain entry into ruling party to neutralise the BJP. Hence, if he is given entry, it would weaken the party base and damage the future prospects of the party in the constituency.
The party workers submitted a letter requesting the party not to entertain Silveira. A copy of the letter also has been handed over to chief minister.
