Panaji: Battling differences within the
party, the BJP on Sunday said it was yet to decide on whether to
project any chief ministerial candidate before the Assembly
polls.
"We have all the options open (for chief ministerial
candidate). As and when we decide, we will let you know,"
senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley told reporters here today.
Jaitley was in Goa to flag off `Jana Sampark Abhiyaan`
which will travel through 35 constituencies over the next
fortnight.
Polls in Goa will be held on March 3.
The party is divided over the issue of chief ministerial
candidate for the forthcoming poll. While one group is
supportive of former CM Manohar Parrikar to lead
the party in assembly, there is another group supporting
Sripad Naik, a member of Parliament.
"Sripad (Naik) is one of the pillars of the party,"
Jaitley said, adding that the party will soon decide whether
he should be shifted to state politics or be retained in Delhi
adding, Naik will abide by the decision of the party.
Naik represents North Goa constituency in Lok Sabha and
has been a leader of the influential Bhandari community.
Responding to a query, Jaitley termed party`s openness
for alliance with the regional forces in Goa for the
forthcoming elections as `re-polarization` of political
forces.
"Re-polarization of political forces is not unknown," he
said, adding an alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party
(MGP) in Goa is justifiable as it weakens the ruling regime.
MGP, Goa`s oldest political party, has been sharing power
in Congress-led state government in Goa.
PTI
