BJP candidate from Quepem, Chandrakant kavlekar
Gomantak Times
As the polling day for the 2022 Goa assembly election inches closer, the battlefield Goa is all set to witness a thrilling multi-party contest between the Congress, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Goa Forward Party, among other, on 14 February.
In a rapid-fire interview, Gomantak Times speaks to BJP candidate from Quepem, Chandrakant kavlekar
What are the challenges are your facing in this assembly election?
I do not have any major challenges in this election, even though this will be my first election under the BJP symbol. Our candidates had achieved great success in the previous Zilla Panchayat elections. BJP had won all the seats. Therefore, even if I am contesting the Assembly elections for the first time as a BJP candidate, it will not make much difference. This is my sixth assembly election and this will be my attempt at a hat trick.
How is the response from people to your campaign so far?
I'm getting really good support this time. People are participating in my campaign in large numbers in different places. I am getting good responses in Fatorpa, Morpirla, Barshe, Khola, Avedem Panchayats as well as Quepem Municipal Corporation.
This is your first assembly election after joining BJP. What do you have to say about it?
There is nothing special because after joining BJP, we have won four seats in the Zilla Panchayat elections. For many years, Quepem voters have always supported me. I will definitely get the love of Qupem this time too.
An attempt was made to break panchayat, that was under your influence. What is your take on it?
Our team of workers have doubled in numbers. My old workers who have been working with me for the last 22-23 years are still with me today. So, now the original BJP workers have been added to it. All of them are working together for me. Development in the constituency was hampered due to BJP workers' opposition before I entered into BJP. But after coming to power, many works have been started. Various schemes have been implemented especially in the field of agriculture. There is a problem of unemployment in the constituency. We will seek the help of the private sector after re-election to overcome it.
What are your plans to uplift the farming community in the state?
We have taken some concrete steps in this area, good plans are in process. These schemes are designed with farmers in mind. The aim is to make Goa the agricultural state once again through community farming, subsidies to farmers. Goa used to be an agricultural state, however, it has been neglected lately, but now we have to try to get people back to farming.
Your wife has decided to to contest this election. Do you think she will secure a win from Sanguem?
I am an honest party worker. I will do whatever the party orders. Ask about only about the party. I will support the party's candidate.
If your wife Savitri Kavlekar wins, will she join BJP?
(laughs) That's it for today.
