Eye on Lok Sabha polls? BJP to felicitate Naik at grand birthday function, BJP eye on Lok sabha , Lok Sabha Poll 2014, BJP, Lok Sabha poll news , Latest news, political news updates.

 Eye on Lok Sabha polls? BJP to felicitate Naik at grand birthday function.

PANAJI: Chief minister Manohar on Thursday announced that North Goa MP Shripad Naik would be honoured at a grand function in Campal, Panaji, on October 18 as he completes 60 years on October 4.

The announcement to mediapersons was made by Parrikar himself, at his official residence in Altinho. The felicitation has been postponed to October 18 as Naik is out of the country on an official tour.

Political analysts said that this appears to be an attempt by the BJP to "warm up to Naik", probably with an eye on the forthcoming parliamentary election, as winning every seat will be imperative for the BJP to realize its dream of securing power at the Center with Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi at the helm.

Click here to see the more updates about the lok sabha poll 2014

Naik will be BJP's North Goa candidate for the parliamentary election, though an official announcement is yet to be made. Internal differences between Parrikar and Naik came into sharp focus when the former tried to assert his place in the March 2012 state assembly election.

Naik had to suppress his dream of re-entering state politics in the last assembly election when there was an "undue delay" in declaring his candidature for Porvorim constituency as some senior party workers went out of their way to keep him at arm's length. Though he was granted the ticket at a later stage, Naik refused to contest. His close confidantes said that Naik who had been at the forefront in strengthening BJP at the grassroots level-when it was virtually a non-entity in Goa-did not deserve the "humiliation" meted out to him.

Click here to read more updates..about upcoming election in India and Indian politics

Since then, the senior BJP leader has remained aloof. At the media briefing, Parrikar reiterated that all's well between him and Naik, and told the media not to "spoil the occasion by raking up the past". He went a step further and highlighted Naik's strengths, stating that the North Goa MP and him complement each other.

"There are certain issues Shripad can tackle better, like soothing disturbed workers. He knows how to win over people and be accommodating," said Parrikar.

The chief minister clarified that the function would be organized by Naik's friends, well-wishers and party workers.

"It's not a function of the BJP alone," Parrikar said. The organizing committee is headed by Parrikar.

source:timesofindia

• Prev
• Next