Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SR)

Panaji, Jul 13: Not many senior BJP leaders are happy with the current political developments happening in the state, where ten former Congress MLAs were inducted into the party. While some of the leaders are of the opinion that the decision was taken in the interest of the party, many others feel party's interest should have been protected before taking any such decision.

As reported in TOI, a senior BJP leader Rajendra Arlekar, upset with the move, told the publication that the merger was ‘Congressisation’ of BJP. Arlekar said there was no discussion on induction of Congress MLAs into the party. “Karyakartas in general and public in particular are hurt with the move and now the party has to decide how it can come out of this situation. We cannot afford to have such a concoction in the party. How can we run the party if all are from other outfits? Those running the party should have pondered over this before arriving at any decision,” he said. "Those who are running the party have sidelined senior leaders and have not thought over before arriving at the decision."

Union minister of state for defence and senior BJP leader Shripad Naik said, “This issue should have been discussed at party level in the interest of the BJP.” When asked whether he was not informed in advance, Naik said he was in Delhi attending the parliament session. Laxmikant Parsekar, former chief minister of Goa, welcomed the decision of inducting Congress MLAs in the party and said it would strengthen the party and connect with all strata of society. “Party has now all types of public representatives."