Says it was Parrikar's sole decision; don't know if it had any backing from the party too
PANAJI
Taking strong objection to the statement by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik said that he was not consulted before the decision was taken to induct Pandurang Madkaikar into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Parrikar, speaking on the sidelines of a function in Panaji, had said that Shripad Naik was taken into confidence before taking Madkaikar into the BJP. Madkaikar, who joined BJP a day before the Vijay Sankalp Mahamelava, is expected to be BJP’s candidate in Cumbharjua constituency.
Speaking to The Goan, Naik, who is a member of BJP’s core committee, said, “No, I was not consulted on whether Madkaikar should be inducted into the Party or not. I was told only after the final call on taking him into the party was taken.”
“I had learnt about this development about one-and-a-half months back that he (Parrikar) had decided to get him (Madkaikar) into the BJP. But about eight days back when I was asked, I had told him (Parrikar) that this decision of his was wrong. So, Parrikar should also tell what was my opinion”, said Naik pointing out that even BJP workers were of the opinion that Madkaikar should not be inducted into the BJP.
“I was recently told about taking him into the party but I was not told when it would be done. The decision is his (Parrikar’s) finally. I don’t even know whether it is of the party also”, said Naik.
Shripad Naik and his son Siddhesh Naik, who is the president of BJP’s Cumbharjua Mandal and aspiring to be the Party’s candidate for the upcoming State Legislative Assembly polls, had not attended the Vijay Sankalp Mahamelava in Cumbharjua which was attended by nearly 10,000 persons.
Commenting on why he did not attend the Mahamelava, Naik said, “I had to attend the gathering of Navodaya Vidyalaya, Valpoi. Additionally, I had to attend the inauguration of three projects under MPLAD funds. So I was caught up from 3 pm to 10 pm.”
Sources, however, informed that Siddhesh Naik has decided not to work for Madkaikar and instead work for the Party’s victory in Panaji constituency.
In a meeting held with BJP’s core committee on November 20, the Cumbharjua Mandal had strongly objected to Madkaikar’s entry into the Party. The Mandal members were even assured that they would be taken into confidence before a final call on Madkaikar’s entry is taken. The mandal members had even vowed to work towards defeating Madkaikar if he was given BJP ticket in Cumbharjua.
With this development, the differences between the two – Parrikar and Naik – have been visible once again after the latter was denied a ticket from Porvorim constituency during the 2012 polls.
