For more than three decades, Union Minister Shripad Naik has been a key face of the BJP in Goa, winning multiple terms from North Goa and serving in successive central governments. Now, his son Siddesh Shripad Naik has begun making his mark as North Goa BJP President. In this conversation with Goemkarponn Editor Suraj Nandrekar, Siddesh opens up about the challenges of carrying his father’s legacy, the debate over dynasty politics, his grassroots political journey, and his own ambitions for the future.
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Excerpts
Suraj Nandrekar: How challenging is it to be the son of Union Minister Shripad Naik? Do you see it as an advantage or a disadvantage?
Siddesh Naik: Both sides exist. I grew up watching the BJP being built in Goa from scratch and saw my father’s journey closely. It is not a disadvantage, but it is certainly difficult, because expectations are higher. When your father is a Union Minister, you are expected to live up to that level of discipline and values.
I am proud to be an RSS swayamsevak. From childhood, we were taught that our principle is “Nation first, Party next, Self last”. That continues to guide me.
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Suraj: You were North Goa BJP President. There are reports that you want to contest from Cumbarjua. Is that true?
Siddesh: Yes, I have been working in Cumbarjua for 15 years. People sometimes assume it is about family politics, but that is not the case.
My political journey began in student politics with ABVP. I became General Secretary of the Goa University Students’ Council, contested and won the panchayat and later the Zilla Panchayat with the highest margin, and served as ZP President. I was also State General Secretary of Yuva Morcha, Cumbarjua Mandal President, and National Executive Member of BJYM when Anurag Thakur was its president. Later, I was the State Secretary of the BJP and State Media Coordinator of Yuva Morcha.
So when people in Cumbarjua demand that I contest, it is not because of my father, but because they have seen my work.
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Suraj: Yet many still call this family politics, considering your father’s long career.
Siddesh: If it were family politics, I would have directly asked for an Assembly ticket long ago. Instead, I contested panchayat and ZP elections and worked my way up.
If any karyakarta in my position had claimed a ticket without such work, it would have been wrong. My claim is based on my own work, not my father’s position.
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Suraj: In the last election, Utpal Parrikar, son of late CM Manohar Parrikar, was denied a BJP ticket. Does the BJP discourage the children of leaders?
Siddesh: No. Senior leaders like Devendra Fadnavis have said BJP is not against family members entering politics, but against parachute candidates. If someone has worked at the grassroots and people demand their candidature, the party will consider it.
Even Nitin Gadkari has said one must first build an identity by working among people. My claim is based on my work and people’s support, not my father’s name.
As for Utpal, he made his claim, but the party did not give him a ticket. In the BJP, tickets are never guaranteed to the children of leaders. It depends on work and the demand from people.
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Suraj: Your father has been in politics for over 30 years. Do you feel he missed out on becoming Goa’s Chief Minister?
Siddesh: Personally, I feel he deserved it. He has worked tirelessly for the party since his youth. But in the BJP, decisions are taken collectively and accepted. For us party comes first, I told you.
He was always with people and rarely at home during our childhood. My mother played a huge role in managing the family and supporting him. Without her sacrifice, he could not have devoted so much time to politics. We miss her greatly now.
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Suraj: Your father is known to be very simple. Do you also follow that style in politics?
Siddesh: Yes. Politics is about being approachable. A leader must remain down to earth. My parents taught me to respect everyone, whether elder, younger, friend or opponent. That simplicity is useful in politics and in life.
Our leaders often say a politician must be calm like ice and sweet like sugar. People should feel comfortable approaching you with their problems. That is how I try to conduct myself.
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Suraj: But politics also brings controversies and accusations. How do you handle them?
Siddesh: The only way is to stay straightforward and honest. Be clear in your work and always speak the truth. Opponents and the media will question you, but if you are clean, you can face anything directly.
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Suraj: Finally, if your father decides not to contest again, will you stake a claim for the ticket?
Siddesh: In the BJP, tickets are not family property. It is the party that decides. My claim will be on the basis of my work, not because I am Shripad Naik’s son.
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Suraj: Thank you, Siddesh.
Siddesh: Thank you, Suraj.
