Local Goa News

Monday, November 28, 2016

Ashok Naik quits BJP

Founder member of party in Goa and former Panjim Mayor says he has been let down by party on language issue

PANJIM: In what could be termed as a major setback to the Bharatiya Janata Party in the State ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections, former Panjim mayor and founder member of the BJP in Goa, Ashok Naik, resigned from the party.

Speaking to Herald, Naik said he tendered his resignation three days ago. “I was a founder member of the BJP in Goa and despite being four times mandal president and Panjim Mayor for one term I managed to keep my image clean,” Naik told Herald in a telephonic conversation.
During this time, he continued, “I received several offers from various parties. Even during the bypolls I was offered the chance to contest against Siddharth Kuncoliencar but I refused like a loyal soldier.”
However, he added, “I have been let down by my own party leaders on the language issue.” He said the BJP had promised to give Marathi official language status but it never happened. “Manohar Parrikar before going to Delhi had promised this but they have let me down on the issue and hence I decided to quit,” he said.
Asked whether he would now join any party, Naik said, “I have not given it a thought yet.”
BJP General Secretary Sadanand Shet Tanawade said that Naik ceased to be a party member three years ago. “Naik is not an office-bearer and not even mandal/block chief. He was just a member and the membership is not permanent,” said Tanawade. He said that Naik did not renew the membership so there is no question of his resignation.
Asked whether it could affect the party’s chances in Panjim constituency, Tanawade, replied in the negative.

Herald Goa News

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