By Our Chief Reporter
Panaji (Goa) A senior BJP leader today said that the party and the State government is doing well even in the physical absence of chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently taking treatment in the USA.
Parrikar has been admitted in the hospital in the USA from the first week of March where he was shifted from Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai.
“Our party is a cadre based party and Manohar Parrikar is undisputed leader of the masses. Even though he is not physically present in the State, the party and the government under his leadership is doing well,” Avinash Rai Khanna, party’s national Vice President who was last week appointed as Goa desk incharge said.
“It is natural for anyone to fall ill. Parrikar is responding well to the treatment and will be back in the State soon to take over the reigns but even in his absence the State government and the party is working under his advice and guidance. He may not be physically present in the state but he is always available whenever the party leaders in Goa wants him,” said Khanna.
The BJP leader also said that the party will win both the seats during upcoming Lok Sabha elections. “BJP has a strong base in Goa. We have implemented several works of social welfare. It would not be difficult for our candidates to win the next Lok Sabha elections in Goa,” he said.
BJP leaders — Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik and Narendra Sawaikar – are currently representing North and South Goa constituencies respectively.
When asked whether both the MPs would be retained for next Lok Sabha election, Khanna said that the party will follow proper procedure before announcing the candidatures.
“There is a system in the party which has to be followed. Even if we are retaining the same candidates, we follow the system in which the State election committee recommends names to the centre and then Parliamentary Board takes the final decision and announces them,” he said.
When asked whether BJP expects support of the coalition members to support them during LS polls, Khanna said “the party hopes that they (coalition members) will support.”
“But even in the past we have fought the elections on our own and got elected. We will be still happy if coalition partners support our candidates,” he commented.
