"We worship Shakti and don't..." BJP's Goa Lok Sabha Incharge Ashish Sood slams Rahul Gandhi
Mar 21, 2024
Panaji (Goa) [India], March 21 : BJP's Goa Lok Sabha election incharge, Ashish Sood, said that they will be going among the public with their achievements and said Congress is not finding suitable candidates to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
According to the schedule, Goa will vote in just one phase on May 7 for its two Lok Sabha constituencies.
The coastal state has two Lok Sabha constituencies: North Goa and South Goa.
Speaking with ANI Sood said, "We are going among the public with our achievements. I can say with confidence that Congress will not be even able to field its candidates for both seats in Goa. As per the sources, Congress is not finding suitable candidates to contest the elections."
Replying to a query, the BJP leader said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said and I also believe that we respect the nari (women). We worship the Shakti and do not destroy it."
He also "condemned" Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his 'Shakti' remarks, which had drawn sharp criticism from PM Modi and other BJP leaders.
In Mumbai, where the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra recently concluded, Rahul Gandhi said at a rally, "There is a word 'Shakti' in Hinduism. We are fighting against Shakti. The question is, what is Shakti? The soul of the king is in the EVM. This is true. The soul of the king is in the EVM and every institution of the country, in the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department."
"The BJP will field those candidates who will take forward 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Viksit Goa' under the leadership of PM Modi," he said.
In the 2019 general elections, the North Goa seat was won by BJP candidate Shripad Yesso Naik, while the South Goa seat was won by Congress candidate Cosme Francisco Caitano Sardinha.
Naik had polled 79.9 percent of the votes. Sardinha had polled 75.2 percent of the votes. BJP secured a vote share of 51.9 per cent while Congress secured 43. 6 per cent votes, followed by the Aam Admi Party with a vote share of 3.1 per cent.
In its first list of 195 candidates, the BJP announced the name of Shripad Yesso Naik to contest from North Goa. The party is expected to announce its candidate for the South Goa seat.
Voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases, starting on April 19 and ending on June 1. The results will be declared on June 4.
Assembly polls will also be held in four states.
