BHAU SPEAKS
— Not worried about Khalap as an opponent, he could not do anything in 1999 and cannot do anything in 2024
— Never demanded anything from the party, our leaders are smart enough to make the right decisions
— INDI alliance will not have any effect on BJP’s prospects
— People reject those who are seen once after five years
— Opposition must go and find out from panchayats and villages about the works I have undertaken
— The party has given us a lot and I will not want to become a hindrance to any future leader
— Congress is an old party they have a vote bank in North Goa and I feel it will not increase their tally due to the INDI alliance.
Shripad Yessu Naik needs no introduction in Goan politics. Especially when we talk about the BJP he has been one of the pillars of building the party in Goa. He is vying for 6th consecutive term in Lok Sabha. Goemkarponn Editor SURAJ NANDREKAR interviews the veteran politician on his views of the Opposition INDI alliance’s allegations against him and many more issues.
Excerpts..
Goemkarponn: Shripad Bhau, Congratulations on getting the BJP ticket for the sixth consecutive time. Is this election different for you than the previous five?
Shripad Naik: Thank you. About difference, there is nothing as such there is nothing like that. BJP is an organised party. We in the BJP do not wait for the declaration of candidates or the announcement of elections. Every Karyakarta has a responsibility 24/7. From the State level to the booth level, our workers are always in active mode. So it does not make any difference. The only thing is we double our efforts during the elections. This is the main reason for the party’s success.
Goemkarponn: Will the INDI alliance have any effect on your prospects in North Goa?
Shripad Naik: Not at all, The only thing is the votes in a few pockets which would have been divided will come together but our margin is huge you know. In 2014, it was 1,05,000 and in 2019 it was more than 88,000 looking at the development which has taken place in the last five years by the State as well as central government things are even more encouraging and there are no complaints.
Goemkarponn: What do you think could be the margin this time? Will there be the effect of the INDI alliance?
Shripad Naik: No. Congress is an old party they have a vote bank in North Goa and I feel it will not increase their tally due to the INDI alliance. Definitely, with the development works taken up by the BJP Sarkar and myself, our margin will increase.
Goemkarponn: Opposition is making allegations that for the last 25 years, you have not brought any notable development in North Goa. Your opinion.
Shripad Naik: This is election time and anything you speak gets absorbed fast. My development work is recorded on paper. It is no lip service. They have no issue to raise against me so this is something they are harping on. In the last 25 years I have taken up 1200 development projects due to COVID around 100 could not be completed. I have built 91 community halls, 72 crematoriums, and around 36 schools we constructed buildings through MPLAD funds. Every panchayat has been given 4-5 projects. I feel it is not right on the part of the Opposition to simply say this without verifying.
Goemkarponn: They are also saying that Shripad Naik is seen once in five years. Your say?
Shripad Naik: Absolutely wrong. Then why would the voters vote for me? I would say these are the same people who wake up only after five years. Today they are seen and will be seen next after five years they have no connection with people. Like how the cat has milk-closing eyes, she feels nobody is watching her. The same is true with them. We always keep our contact with the people of Goa. Consider this, there is no development, there is no contact then how am I winning?
The Opposition has failed in North Goa and that is the reason people here have rejected them and elected BJP because of our work. Whenever I am in Goa I keep half a day only for the people of Goa to address their issues. I go to every village for several programmes.
I will tell you that there were two surveys for the best-developed constituencies. One was seven years ago by the Times of India and the second by India Today four years ago. In the TOI survey my number was 31 out of 543 in the India Today survey my number was 10th. These are all-India agencies not local. The Opposition is speaking lies.
Goemkarponn: Did you doubt whether you will be considered for a ticket again this time? You made a statement also some people are waiting to dislodge you.
Shripad Naik: I never had an iota of doubt. See in BJP we do not do publicity of our internal issues. In the BJP the parliamentary committee decides about the tickets hence anybody can ask for a ticket. My issue was to them was only to do that on the right platform and not through media. We do not have to ask for tickets and the party is observing everything
Goemakrponn: Your name was on the first list. How excited were you?
Shripad Naik: It was a great feeling and also makes us believe in ourselves that whatever I have done so far is recognised by the party.
Goemkarponn: Media quoted you as saying this is going to be your last election. Is this true?
Shripad Naik: There are many desirous workers and it is right also. It is the party which decides whether to give the ticket to someone or not. But I am clear from my side this would be my last election but the final call will be taken by the party. I have no issues with others being desirous. We have built this party here but it also belongs to all workers. The party has given us a lot and I will not want to become a hindrance to any future leader.
Goemkarponn: What is the difference between your first election in 1999 and this in 2024?
Shripad Naik: Well vast different. Today everything was readymade. We have karyakartas, who are ready to do anything for the party. We are happy we have been able to build such a strong team. Karyakartas are the pillars of any party. In 1999 BJP was a small team but today it is vastly spread and I am happy. In 1999 canvassing was done by us, posters or banners were done by us, get people together and because of that hard work we have achieved success. Today we have many hands to do this. I am happy people have recognised our efforts and brought the BJP to power for the development of our nation.
Goemkarponn: From Sarpanch to Union Minister how has been the journey so far? Did you ever imagine this?
Shripad Naik: This is all because of the party. We are disciplined soldiers of the party. We never claim anything whatever responsibility given we try to execute that. I Was GS of BJP, three times State president, then MLA and finally MP for five terms and every time I have been minister in BJP government at the Centre. This is a reward for our voters and the party.
Goemkarponn: Were you disappointed not to have been an automatic choice for Chief Minister in 2019 after Manohar Parrikar’s demise?
Shripad Naik: See I have told you just now we do not ask anything from the party. The leadership seized every situation and they knew who had to be where and when. I believe one must never be too greedy or demand things, you will never achieve anything by this. We have no right to do this. So whatever the party gives us responsibility we try to execute that. Finally, it is all about serving the State and the country there is no selfish interest.
Goemkarponn: BJP has “anti-minority tag”. So how are you approaching the minorities with this and are you facing the anti-incumbency factor?
Shripad Naik: Not at all. In BJP we do not think about religion or caste. Everyone is equal to us. We have MLAs, MPs, and panchas of all communities we do not believe in this. It is all creation of the Opposition and they are the people who are communal and they have always believed in appeasing one community and never thought of taking it all together. Show me one example where the BJP has acted against minorities.
Goemakrponn: Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao issued a statement to vote for the secular party. Will it affect the BJP?
Shripad Naik: Absolutely not, BJP is the No 1 secular party in the country. I believe the Cardinal’s statement is in favour of the BJP as people have accepted the party as secular and they will vote for BJP I am confident.
Goemakrponn: How do you see Adv Ramakant Khalap as the opponent? Did you defeat him in 1999?
Shripad Naik: Well, that was an intriguing fight in 1999. BJP was a small part yet people defeated him by 38000 votes. He was the Union Minister then and thereafter he was nowhere in politics. So I am confident that if he could not do anything in 1999 when he was Law Minister, he won’t be able to do anything now. So we are not worried about Khalap.
Goemakrponn: Khalap has made a lot of allegations against you, but you have not reacted so far, why?
Shripad Naik: See this is election and party politics, I do not believe in making allegations and charges. We are not enemies. BJP teaches us that we all are one and behave well with opponents. We have to respect opponents as well.
Goemkarponn: Is Abki bar 400 paar possible?
Shripad Naik: Definitely: If you see the wave across the country. I can say confidently we will cross the 400 mark. Not only that just like 1999 and 2014, this time too Goa will give both seats to make BJP stronger. Modiji will achieve 400 paar with 2 seats from Goa.
