Saligao,  Dec 25 (TOI): Union Ayush minister and North Goa MP Shripad Naik said on Monday that, in Goa, assembly elections should not be held together with the Lok Sabha polls as this would create confusion in the minds of the electorate.

Following speculations that assembly elections in the state would be held simultaneously with parliamentary elections, the Union minister was asked whether this would be a good idea.

“There is a lot of development going on in this state under the BJP government, so having both the elections together will simply place extra burden on the electorate and create confusion,” Naik said, while speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Christmas crib at Calangute, which was set-up jointly by the Calangute and Saligao police stations. He added that he was confident that the BJP would retain both the North and South Goa seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Responding to queries about the recent clash between BJP and Congress workers in Panaji, Naik said, “The BJP had organised the protest to expose Congress leaders over the Rafale fighter jets. This ‘andolan’ was happening in all states and there was no need for the Congress workers to come and instigate the protesting BJP workers.”

It should be ensured that such incidents never happen in the future, the Union minister said.

“Such incidents have never happened in the history of Goa, but the Congress has shown its true colours by indulging in non-democratic ways.” When asked whether there was any move to change the state BJP president, he said the decision lies with party’s central leadership.

Also present at the event were deputy speaker and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, former Saligao sarpanch Eknath Oraskar, members of Calangute panchayat, police officers from both police stations, hoteliers and villagers.