‘We are confident of getting majority’
The BJP feels that it has already won the Zilla Panchayat elections because of two factors –one, the passing the Ordinance for elections on party lines and the very ‘shrewd’ delimitation. BJP MLA, Kiran Kandolkar, the front man of the party for these elections speaks to Herald’s SHWETA KAMAT on the party’s election plans.
HERALD: Is the party satisfied with the delimitation process for the ZP election?
Kiran: Yes. For the first time a very systematic, scientific division and reservation of wards has been done for the ZP election. For this the BJP would like to congratulate the government.
HERALD: The Congress party has raised objection to holding the ZP elections on party lines. How far is the objection justifiable?
Kiran: The only justification for this objection is that the Congress party has accepted their defeat well in advance. Congress has realized that they cannot win this poll as they have been routed in every electoral battle. Still, the ZP elections are the last opportunity for them to prove their existence.
HERALD: What if the Congress contest, Will BJP have smooth sailing?
Kiran: Yes of course! BJP does not see threat from anyone. The party is ready to face any challenge. We are confident that we would get the majority, and both North and South Goa Zilla Panchayat adhyakshas will be elected from BJP.
Congress has lost all its charm. In the present situation, they cannot stand up to the BJP. People have always reposed faith in us and the same will continue.
HERALD: What if the Congress gets backing from independent MLAs including those who supported the BJP?
Kiran: I cannot say whether independent MLAs, except Vijai Sardessai, will support Congress. Even if that happens, BJP is ready to face them all. We have already started our work without any support from either alliance partner (BJP) or independents.
‘No decision yet on contesting elections’
The Congress has accused the ruling party of manipulating the elections as the ZP elections are fast approaching. It is in a dilemma about whether it should follow the BJP game plan or throw a spanner in the works. Herald’s Shweta Kamat speaks to its outspoken, combative spokesperson
Sunil Kawthankar.
HERALD: Will Congress contest the ZP elections on party lines?
Sunil: Congress party in principle has already opposed the ZP elections on party lines. We had also made representation to the Governor demanding that the Ordinance be withdrawn. However, the party’s election committee would be meeting next week to take a final call on it.
HERALD: So does it mean that Congress will boycott the elections or will back independent candidates?
Sunil: We have not decided anything so far. A meeting has been called on Monday to take a final decision on whether to boycott the elections or to back independent candidates.
HERALD:By not contesting the elections on party lines, don’t you feel that Congress is leaving the battlefield open for the BJP?
Sunil: See, these elections have no importance, as the entire process is been manipulated by the government, to favour them. No political party or sitting ZP members were taken into confidence by the government before passing the Ordinance or deciding on delimitations. This manipulation itself has exposed the government and Congress cannot be part of such manipulation.
HERALD: But my questions still stands unanswered?
Sunil: Listen, BJP may get electoral victory, in our presence or in our absence, but the party has forgotten the basics –to uphold the fundamentals of democracy. But the present action is exactly opposite –it undermines democracy. This time they might get the ruling edge but time will come when the hidden agenda of the BJP that threatens the very existence of democracy would be exposed.
HERALD:So this means, Congress has accepted that the party has no existence left in Goa?
Sunil: I did not mean that Congress is a very old political party and yes in the past we have seen the dark days. We committed mistakes and people have punished us. But now we are changing ourself, trying to overcome all the mistakes.
With our present policies, we are very much confident that Congress will be the best option for Goans.
