The resignation of BJP’s founding member lK Advani just a day after the party sought to re-brand itself under the leadership of Narendra Modi has been received with shock by Goa leaders.
That Advani should not have resigned was s common sentiment ringing through the state leaders with North Goa MP Shirpad Naik, saying that shock was the only sentiment he could express. “I am shocked and sad. Advani said that he was ill. And now, when the party was about to surge forward after yesterday’s decision, he should not have resigned. He should have backed the party. This is really unfortunate,” Naik said.
Naik is known to be distant and share an uneasy relationship with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who has been openly vouching for and promoting Narendra Modi to be elevated to the national stage. Naik, however, did not say that the party erred in appointing Modi without a consensus. Spokesperson for the state unit of the BJP Narendra Sawoikar expressed shock, but was cautious in making any further statement. “He is our senior leader. let us see what happens. We are watching the events,” Sawaikar said.