Explorer

Goa: Tainted Congressman's inclusion into BJP causes rift between Parrikar and Naik

Panaji: The Goa BJP's decision to welcome a tainted Congress legislator into its fold has brought to the surface a rift between the party's tallest state leaders, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik. Less than a week after Pandurang Madkaikar resigned from the Congress and the assembly to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Naik said on Monday that he was not consulted and the decision was "wrong". "They informed me about this only after taking the decision. I had told them that it was a wrong decision," Naik told reporters. Madkaikar joined the BJP last week in the presence of Parrikar, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and state party President Vinay Tendulkar. Parrikar claimed on Saturday that Naik was consulted before Madkaikar's induction. Madkaikar is the second Congress state legislator to join the BJP over the past 10 days. During a debate in the Goa assembly, Parrikar, as the Goa Chief Minister then, had accused the former Cumbharjua legislator of indulging in a land scam. After Madkaikar's inclusion into the BJP on December 22, Parrikar claimed an inquiry has been ordered into the scam and action would be taken if the legislator was found guilty. Madkaikar's entry into the BJP has also riled a section of the BJP leadership in Goa, which is one of the five states headed for polls early next year. Naik claimed that he did not want to speak publicly of his discontent, but said he was forced to go on record after Parrikar told the media on Saturday that he had been consulted before the controversial induction. "I did not go to the press because of party discipline... Consultation means asking for an opinion before a decision is made. This decision was already made by him (Parrikar) before I was told about it," Naik said. The BJP, which got an unprecedented simple majority in the 2012 state assembly elections, now faces an uphill task in the next polls since its alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party is on the brink of breaking up and a new political party founded by rebel Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Subhash Velingkar is taking the battle to the ruling party.

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Indian Army Resumes Restricted Patrolling At Depsang Plains As Disengagement With China Progresses
Indian Army Resumes Restricted Patrolling At Depsang Plains As Disengagement With China Progresses
'Such Violent Acts Will Never Weaken India’s Resolve': PM Modi Condemns Attack On Hindu Temple In Canada
'Such Violent Acts Will Never Weaken India’s Resolve': PM Modi Condemns Attack On Hindu Temple In Canada
'I Have My Own Faith...': CJI Chandrachud Breaks Silence On 'Praying To God' For Solution To Ayodhya Case
'I Have My Own Faith...': CJI Chandrachud Breaks Silence On 'Praying To God' For Solution To Ayodhya Case
Chhath Puja: Packed Stations, Passengers Standing In Toilets As Overloaded Trains Struggle With Festival Rush
Chhath Puja: Packed Stations, Passengers Standing In Toilets As Overloaded Trains Struggle With Festival Rush
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Almora Bus Accident: Bus Carrying 42 Plunges Into Ravine in Uttarakhand | ABP NewsBreaking News: Poster Wars Heat Up in Lucknow Ahead of UP By-Elections | ABP NewsManoj Jarange Makes Bold Declaration Ahead of Maharashtra Elections 2024UP News: Political Resolution Looms for UP's 69,000 Teacher Recruitment Saga Ahead of By-Elections

Photo Gallery

Embed widget