BJP leadership backs Naik, Sawaikar for Lok Sabha elections

PANAJI: As expected, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reposed their faith in union Ayush minister Shripad Naik and south Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar by re-nominating them to contest next month’s parliamentary election.
The central election committee confirmed their tickets on Saturday.
The BJP had recommended Naik for the north Goa seat while Sawaikar was the choice for south Goa. Chief minister Pramod Sawant, BJP state president Vinay Tendulkar and BJP organizing secretary Satish Dhond, among others, had travelled to Delhi to attend the central election committee where the names were finalised.
Naik has been a member of parliament from north Goa since 1999. If he manages to win the seat again, he would have won his seat for the fifth consecutive term.
Sawaikar is contesting the Lok Sabha seat for a second time. The BJP has tasted success in south Goa seat in the past but has never been able to retain the seat.
Sources said even after contesting the Lok Sabha seat for four times, Naik still finds favour with his “good man” image helping him to a large extent.
In the South, though, BJP will have to put in extra efforts with resentment growing in the mining affected areas. There was hope that the BJP would be able to pacify the mining dependants but with no solution in sight, the party has been left to face the brunt.