BJP knows how to deal with Shiroda problem: Vinay Tendulkar

PANAJI

: BJP has a battle on its hands in Shiroda where alliance partner MGP remains firm in its stand that they will not step aside from contesting the byelection.


Shiroda is one of the three constituencies where bypolls will be held on April 23. But while BJP continues to feel the heat, state party president Vinay Tendulkar said they have a plan to deal with the problem.

“There are ways to sort out the problem,” said Tendulkar, without revealing much.

For now, BJP has continued with its efforts to persuade MGP not to complicate matters in Shiroda. MGP president Pandurang Dhavalikar has already declared his candidature and started campaigning in Shiroda, inviting the ire of the ruling party.

During government formation following the death of chief minister Manohar Parrikar on March 17, Tendulkar said PWD minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar and his brother Pandurang had assured Union minister Nitin Gadkari that the party would pull out of the race from Shiroda.

“Only once the assurance was given, other things followed,” said Tendulkar, giving credence to reports that BJP agreed on the deputy chief minister’s post for Dhavalikar only after an agreement on Shiroda was reached.

BJP has declared the ticket to former MLA

Subhash Shirodkar

, who quit the Congress to join the party. That development meant former BJP MLA from the constituency, Mahadev Naik, quit the party and is now being considered by the Congress.

Deadlock in Shiroda continues, MGP adamant on contesting seat

According to sources, BJP is not unduly perturbed with Naik jumping in the poll fray.

The bigger concern remains Dhavalikar, who has garnered some support in the constituency which he has been nurturing for the last six months. Dhavalikar has also actively campaigned soon after Shirodkar resigned from his seat.

“His (Dhavalikar’s) presence will make things difficult for BJP,” said a source, adding that efforts are being made to dissuade its alliance partner.

Whether BJP eventually succeeds remains to be seen. But for now, the deadlock continues. “The decision on Shiroda is already final. We will be deciding on the other constituencies in the next two days,” said Dhavalikar, who had lost the 2017 state assembly election from Priol against Govind Gaude, currently the minister for art and culture.

Besides Shiroda, bypolls will also be held in

Mandrem

and Mapusa.

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