Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his recent remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the opposition party is resorting to personal attacks amid its political challenges.
Goa BJP president Damodar Naik expressed strong disapproval of Kharge’s statement at a public event in Patna, Bihar. He accused the Congress of focusing on criticism of Modi rather than presenting an effective political alternative.
Naik said the BJP would continue to defend the Prime Minister against what it considers inappropriate personal attacks. He maintained that political disagreements should centre on policies and governance rather than remarks directed at individuals.
The BJP’s response comes ahead of national party president Nitin Nabin’s two-day visit to Goa, scheduled to begin on Tuesday. A meeting of the state party’s executive committee is expected to deliberate on organisational matters, governance and preparations for the next Assembly elections.
Naik said the party was concentrating on expanding its grassroots network and strengthening coordination among its workers. He put the BJP’s primary membership in Goa at around 4.5 lakh, spread across 1,731 polling booths.
The party has begun preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections, in which all 40 constituencies in the state will go to the polls.
Reacting to allegations by the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) that the BJP was attempting to influence electoral outcomes by dividing opposition votes, Naik rejected the charge. He also denied allegations concerning financial inducements and political defections, arguing that opposition parties needed to resolve their own organisational problems.
Naik also criticised the Congress-led ‘Goy Rakhonn Yatra’ and raised questions about the sale of village lands and institutional properties during previous periods. He said the BJP would make documents available to support its allegations.
On the possibility of former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar returning to the BJP, Naik said the matter remained under discussion and that any decision would be announced at the appropriate time.
He avoided speculation about leadership changes and the allocation of election tickets, saying the party would assess candidates on their suitability, public support and chances of winning.
Naik said the BJP would continue to focus on development and the principle of Antyodaya, which emphasises the welfare of the most disadvantaged. He added that former party members were welcome to return, but cautioned that rejoining the organisation would not automatically entitle anyone to an election ticket.
