Minorities are now picking BJP over 'corrupt' Cong, says Parsekar TNN | Jan 15, 2012, 03.42AM IST
PANAJI: Thanks to the mis-governance and rampant corruption of the Congress-led government, the minority communities in Goa, which preferred to stay away from the BJP five years ago, are now willingly coming to join us, BJP president Laxmikant Parsekar claimed on Saturday. Having inducted three prominent Christian leaders from South Goa - Carlos Almeida (Mormugao), Joaquim D'Souza (Nuvem) and most notably, Matanhy Saldanha within a space of two days---Parsekar said that the BJP will strive to have a "considerable number of minority candidates including Muslims" in the upcoming March assembly election in Goa. Parsekar denied having a "focused campaign" to woo minorities but said that the minority communities have now become wise to the false propaganda of the Congress painting the BJP as a communal party. "The minorities tested the Congress in the last five years and found that the BJP is the only viable alternative to save Goa from ruin and loot. Five years ago, when we approached minority candidates to contest on our symbol, they were very reluctant saying they would contest as independents with our support. Now things have changed so much that in some constituencies, we have even three minority persons vying to be our candidates," Parsekar said. Will the BJP cadres not be alienated with the BJP importing new people as likely candidates when long-time workers are already there? Parsekar said, "I sincerely feel that our base has to become wider. We cannot restrict ourselves to one particular locality or community. Christians and Muslims are also residents of this state. That is why, in our organization as well as in the legislature, proportional representation must be given to all communities." But till now, probably as a matter of strategy, the list of final BJP candidates remains under wraps just like the name of the BJP's chief ministerial candidate. Where in the past elections, the BJP had declared Manohar Parrikar as their chief minister, this time the BJP is reluctant to make such an announcement. When probed on this, Parsekar said that the BJP's legislative group which will be elected will select a leader under the guidance of the party high command. When asked if there was an alternative to Parrikar, Parsekar replied in the negative. Asked why the BJP was not projecting Parrikar as their next chief minister, Parsekar said that the "people are well aware of the fact". Parsekar also spoke of the BJP's election campaign. From December 1 till 18, BJP workers engaged on an unpublicized booth strengthening exercise all over Goa covering 1,250 booths, rejuvenating existing teams and adding new teams. In contrast, the upcoming " Jan Sampark Abhiyan", to be launched on January 16, will be a massive mass contact programme that will bring about a drastic "parivartan" (change) in the BJP's electoral fortune in Goa, Parsekar said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Minorities-are-now-picking-BJP-over-corrupt-Cong-says-Parsekar/articleshow/11493274.cms * * * Goa BJP in dilemma over projecting chief ministerial candidate PTI | 08:01 PM,Jan 15,2012 Panaji, Jan 15 (PTI)Battling with differences within the party, Bharatiya Janata Party in Goa today said that it was yet to decide whether to project any chief ministerial candidate before the polls. "We have all the options open (for Chief ministerial candidate). As and when we decide, we will let you know," senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley told reporters here today. Jaitley was in Goa to flag off 'Jana Sampark Abhiyaan' which will travel through 35 constituencies over the next fortnight. Polls in Goa will be held on March 3. The party is divided over the issue of chief ministerial candidate for the forthcoming poll. While one group is supportive of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar to lead the party in assembly, there is another group supporting Sripad Naik, a Member of Parliament. "Sripad (Naik) is one of the pillars of the party," Jaitley said adding that the party will soon decide whether he should be shifted to state politics or be retained in Delhi adding Naik will abide by the decision of the party. Naik represents North Goa constituency in Lok Sabha and has been a leader of the influential Bhandari community. Responding to a query, Jetley termed partys openness for alliance with the regional forces in Goa for the forthcoming elections as 're-polarisation' of political forces. "Repolarisation of political forces is not unknown," he commented adding an alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) in Goa is justifiable as it weakens the ruling regime. MGP, Goas oldest political party, has been sharing power in Congress-led state government in Goa. http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/goa-bjp-in-dilemma-over-projecting-chief-ministerial-candidate/951118.html * * * Matanhy drops 2 leaves for lotus TNN Jan 14, 2012, 02.10AM IST PANAJI: Probably snagging the biggest catch of this election season, the state BJP on Friday inducted former tourism minister Matanhy Saldanha into its party-fold. Saldanha had resigned from UGDP on Thursday objecting to its alliance with Goa Vikas Party. Though BJP officially denied that Saldanha has been assured a ticket, Saldanha's address in Panaji to a large gathering of supporters from Cortalim constituency, made his intentions clear. He said, "Az thaun sallok, moxaponn ani Goenchem boreponn. Ravtam tumchea motak ani Goenchea boreponnak" (From today, it is the lotus (BJP symbol), humanism and Goa's welfare. I wait for your votes and for Goa's welfare). Saldanha's formal entry has given a big boost to BJP's drive to woo minorities. The party's delight was clearly evident. Unlike earlier entrants Subhash Phaldessai (Sanguem) and Pratapsingh Krishnarao Rane (Sattari), opposition leader Manohar Parrikar was personally present to offer Saldanha the welcoming bouquet. He said he was "proud and happy" at Saldanha's joining, while state BJP president Laxmikant Parsekar said Saldanha's joining has "immediate and long-term benefits for BJP". Both recollected Saldanha's association with the party, as its government's tourism minister in 2004. Saldanha was then in UGDP (symbol: two leaves). Parrikar said that before Saldanha entered BJP, he had a list of priorities, and except for one or two modifications, the priorities were actually BJP's agenda for Goa. "Our line of thinking is the same and we gelled even in 2002," he said. More minority members in the BJP will help the party understand the minority viewpoint better, Parrikar said. Recalling the flak his government got for its proposed cancellation of the Good Friday holiday in Goa, he said it had happened because the BJP did not have enough feedback from minorities. Parsekar said BJP is trying to give representation to all communities in the 2012 polls. Indications are that it is thinking of fielding a Muslim candidate. Saldanha refuted the "communal party" charge against BJP. Saying he was disgusted with Congress' corruption, he said he would "rather live in hope than die of fear". "Goans must change the present Congress government and give BJP an opportunity. People could throw BJP out if they were not happy with it after five years," said Saldanha. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-14/goa/30627317_1_manohar-parrikar-bjp-symbol-matanhy-saldanha * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
