Goemkarponn desk
SALIGAO: With the induction of former Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaocar into the Bharatiya Janata Party, the people of the constituency seems to have mixed reactions to the development.
While many BJP karyakartas and supporters have reacted sharply against the induction, others feel it would help the constituency’s overall development.
However, BJP supporters feel betrayed by the party as an outsider has been given an entry and would also be given a ticket despite many claimants for the party ticket from within the BJP cadres.
It may be recalled that the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, had been on record saying during the Zilla Parishad election campaigning that Dilip Parulekar would be the party candidate, but the recent development has shocked everyone.
Besides Parulekar, Reis Magos sarpanch Kedar Naik and Zilla Parishad member Rupesh Naik were the strong contenders for the ticket.
Sources in BJP said that there was no unity in the BJP Saligao Mandal, which is why the party leaders decided to bring Salgaocar in.
“During one of CM’s visit to the constituency for the inauguration of Chogm road works, a few leaders told CM that they would not work for the party if Parulekar was given a ticket. This seems to have gone totally against the Mandal itself, and thus, a decision as taken to bring Salgaocar in,” he said.
Dilip Parulekar, the former Tourism Minister in Parrikar and Parsekar government, says he feels betrayed after CM made the announcement.
“I don’t know how to react but I will speak to my supporters who have stood by me and take a final decision soon,” he said.
While Parulekar is now planning to contest independently, Kedar and Rupesh also seem to be revolting.
Sources said Kedar and Rupesh would team up, and one of them would contest independently against BJP.
Rupesh Naik speaking to Goemakrponn, said he does not want to comment on the party’s decision.
“It is not like the party did not have leaders. Why import someone who has been working and spewing venom at the party? I will now speak to my supporters and take a decision,” he said.
Eknath Oraskar, former Sarpanch of Saligao, says the move is good for Jayesh Salgaocar.
“I don’t know about the constituency and workers as I am a neutral man, but Jayesh is young and entering the national party would help him grow in his career,” he said.
ON resentment in BJP, he said, it should not affect the party’s prospects or Jayesh per se.
“People today do not see the party. In Goa, I feel that people vote for individuals more than the party. Jayesh has done good work, and let’s see how people react,” he said.
Krishna Mhaloji, a staunch BJP supporter in the constituency, feels dejected as an outsider comes and walks away with the ticket.
“Don’t know how to react. Why did teh party not consult any karyakarta before taking such a big decision? If the party did not want to give a ticket to Dilip Parulekar, there were many other leaders in the constituency; why not give them the ticket?” he asked.
By bringing in an outsider, the party has now shown that there is a dearth of leaders in the party in the Saligao constituency, he said.
Devanand Kudnekar says he does not know whether the party decision is right or wrong, but the workers should have been consulted.
“There are workers who have served the party for more than 20 years. What explanation does the party have for them?” asked Kudnekar.
While the party has dissolved the Mandal committees, party leaders are confident a truce will be called.
“We will speak to each one of them, and we are confident they will support the decision,” said Party president Sadanand Shet Tanavade.
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