TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: It appears that BJP is likely to follow in the foot steps of Congress in the run up to this election by giving precedence to winnability factor over cadre while deciding candidates in some of the constituencies.
BJP is presumed to be a cadre-based party, where candidates from the rank and file are given preference while allotting tickets for polls. But the scene is likely to be different this time. BJP is likely to bypass this practice to accommodate candidates from outside.
A senior partyman who has been unhappy with this development said, in some six to seven constituencies, cadre candidates may be given a go-by in favour of winnability factor.
In Tivim, Sadanand Shet who lost against NCP’s Nilkant Halarnkar in 2007, by a margin of few hundred votes, might not be given a ticket this time.
Our sources say BJP in thinking of giving the ticket to Kiran Kandolkar who contested as an independent in 2007.
Kandolkar who had polled 1343 votes in 2007, during last four years, has done a lot of ground work and is likely to put up a strong fight this time.
When contacted, though BJP spokesperson Rajendra Arlekar claimed that they had not finalized any names, he did not deny that in some constituencies they might favour candidates from outside.
“We have no allergy to having candidates from outside if they fit our requirements”, the BJP spokesperson said.
Arlekar also did not deny that Kiran Kandolkar’s name had not figured in their list.
Another constituency where BJP is likely to give precedence to winnability over cadre is Mayem. The deputy Mayor of CCP Rudresh Chodankar is likely to find favour with BJP as the party thinks that their sitting MLA Anant Shet is too mild a candidate to take on Praveen Zanyte of the Congress.
Roy Naik, son of Home Minister Ravi Naik is also likely to be in the fray. In St Cruz, Anil Hoble who has lost two Assembly elections, in all probability is likely to be kept out this time to make way for Dinar Tarcar.
Interestingly, last time Tarcar had contested against Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar from Panjim.
BJP has almost finalised the ticket to its new entrant and spokesperson Vishnu Surya Wagh to contest from St Andre.
In order to fill up the vacuum created by the exit of Rajesh Patnekar in Bicholim, it is likely give the ticket to Naresh Sawal.
The Congress ticket aspirant Sawal has already told his confidants that he would quit Congress if not given a ticket.
In Poriem, BJP is also likely to give the ticket to non-BJP member Vishwajit K Rane who has declared his intentions to take on the might of Pratapsing Rane.
In Cumbharjua, BJP is likely to support the candidature of Nirmala Sawant where it does not have a strong candidate. In 2007, it had supported Sawant who contested as an independent.
BJP’s MLA Vasudev Gaonkar in Sanguem may be dropped to accommodate to Subhash Faldessai who recently joined the party.
Glen Ticlo who joined BJP a few months back, is likely to contest on BJP ticket in Aldona.
In Sanvordem too, BJP is likely to give the ticket to newcomer Nilesh Cabral. Chances of former Curchorem MLA Ramarao Desai getting a BJP ticket are almost bleak. It is learnt that BJP is considering Deepak Prabhu Pawaskar who recently joined the party for the ticket.
One more constituency where a relatively new candidate may be given ticket is Taleigao. BJP is inclined to favour Dattaprasad Naik even as Taleigao BJP Mandal is strongly opposed to giving him the ticket by sidelining Agnelo Silveira. Taleigao Mandal has resolved that if the ticket is not given to Silveira it should go to former CCP mayor Ashok Naik.
