BJP Calangute unit dead against Lobo’s re-entry into party

PANAJI: Several senior leaders from the Calangute BJP unit have expressed their displeasure at the attempted re-entry of Michael Lobo in the party and do not want him back into the saffron fold.

A prominent office bearer of the Calangute BJP unit alleged that Lobo is responsible for all the ills that have befallen the otherwise pristine villages of Candolim, Calangute, Arpora and Parra, including the increased sale of drugs and prostitution in the area.

He claimed that most of the members of the Calangute BJP Block are extremely unhappy with Michael Lobo’s attempts to rejoin the party and have already conveyed their displeasure to their party bosses, stating that Lobo should not be taken back.

According to another BJP leader from Parra, “After Lobo’s actions with regard to the ODP and PDA and zone conversions which have been exposed by TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane, it will be very embarrassing for us to work with Lobo and report to him. He is everything that the BJP is against and none of us are ready to work with him. In fact, if Lobo comes back to the BJP, several local BJP leaders from the Calangute constituency will resign from the party or work against the party during the upcoming Panchayat polls,” the leader said, adding that during the recent Assembly polls in February, they had vigorously campaigned against Lobo and taking him back now is a matter of shame for the party.

Another senior BJP leader from Candolim who has been with the party for nearly 15 years said Lobo destroyed the constituency due to his greed for money and power.

“Everyone in the constituency knows what he has done. We cannot work with him anymore and will prefer to sit at home, rather than work for a corrupt politician like Lobo,” he said.