PANAJI
Amid growing demand within the saffron cadre to continue as the president, the BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade on Sunday said that he would like to see a new face taking over the reins of the party. Tanavade has completed the five-year term as party president.
BJP has shortlisted a total seven names for the post, the announcement of which is expected by January 20. The names include that of Narendra Sawaikar, Damodar Naik, Chandrakant Kavlekar, Dayanand Sopte, Dayanand Mandrekar, Dilip Parulekar and Govind Parvatkar.
However, some Ministers, MLAs and party workers are of the clear view that if BJP has to win 2027 polls, then Tanavade should continue in the chair.
However, Tanavade has turned down the offer stating that he would like to see a new face taking over the charge.
“A new face should get an opportunity to be the next BJP chief. Everyone should get the opportunity. Every hard core BJP worker is capable of taking the responsibility,” he told media persons responding to the question.
Tanavade said that the Central leadership will decide who will be the next party president. “I have already convened my views to the party… I would not like to continue… that is the reason I asked for elections,” he said adding ‘as per earlier policy, the general secretary of the party was elevated to the President post’.
Tanavade, a sitting BJP Rajya Sabha MP, took over as party president in January 2020.
Ministers like Mauvin Godinho, Vishwajit Rane, Atanasio Monserrate were of the clear opinion that Tanavade should continue in the chair.
