BJP preparing for ZP polls

| 22 January 2005 23:02 IST

With the Zilla panchayat elections knocking door, the state Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) today issued instructions to all its party workers not to contest elections against each other.

As the panchayat Raj act does not permit the political parties to jump into the zilla panchayat election fray, the BJP has decided to extend whole hearted support to its workers in this elections.

``We want to win both # North Goa and South Goa # zilla panchayats,'' conceded Goa BJP chief Rajendra Arlekar. The BJP feels that this is testing ground for the BJP's popularity in the state. The election attains importance as Goa will go for legislative assembly polls in 2007.

The state BJP which enjoys support of two regional parties # united Goans democratic party and Maharashtrawadi gomantak party # to form the Manohar Parrikar-led government, will consult the alliance partners to field the consensus candidate.

``We are sure that the alliance partners will join hands with us in contesting the elections,'' stated Mr Arlekar.

The BJP which strived to hold control over the North Goa zilla panchayat later had to face embrassment as two of its workers had openly crossed swords against each other for North Goa Zilla panchayat presidents post. The chief minister Manohar Parrikar had to intervene to resolve the fight.

``We want to ensure that such problems does not reoccure,'' stated Mr Arlekar justifying party's decision to interfere inthe elections.

Drop a comment