Bicholim BJP MLA and speaker Rajesh Patnekar
Gomantak Times
BJP has managed to convince the party's sitting MLA and speaker Rajesh Patnekar to contest from Bicholim for next month's Goa Assembly elections.
Earlier, Patnekar had conveyed his unwillingness to contest the assembly elections on health grounds. However, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and state BJP president Sadanand Tanawade visited the veteran leader's home on Friday to convince him to contest the upcoming election from Bicholim.
"We had a lot of discussion with our karyakartas regarding the candidate for Bicholim. People were also clueless, as to who would be the candidate. We have finally come to the conclusion that Rajesh Patnekar will be the candidate," Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters in the presence of Rajnesh Patnekar.
"I just want to say to the people that we might have been a little delayed in declaring the candidate however, it may be both the ways also considering health concerns, Rajesh took time to respond but we finally have decided that he would be the candidate as he has agreed too," Sawant added.
Sawant said that Patnekar's candidature will be declared from Delhi in the day. "His candidature approval will be declared from Delhi either today or tomorrow but we have officially sent his name for the candidate from Bicholim," he said.
Patnekar said he had declined to contest on health grounds, however, party workers urged him to contest the elections.
"Due to my health concern and some other reasons, I had earlier said that I would not contest and to give someone else a chance. But somehow the people, the party and Karyakartas believed in me. Therefore, I am preparing for the election and have decided to contest elections once again," Patnekar said.
The Chief Minister has also offered Patnekar a cabinet berth if the party forms the next government. "It is definite that Rajesh Patnekar will not only be an MLA but will be a Minister too, in the coming elections," Sawant said.
He further praised the three-time MLA from Bicholim and expressed confidence that he will get reelected. "Rajesh Patnekar's behaviour and his works towards his people has been immense and due to which we are confident that he will come back to power," Sawant said
On Thursday, BJP released its list of 34 candidates for the upcoming Goa Assembly election. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will contest from Sanquelim while former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar has been denied a ticket from Panaji. Sitting MLA Atanasio Monserrate will contest from Panaji.
The election for the 40 seats will take place on February 14, and the ballots will be counted on March 10.