Only winnable candidates will get assembly poll tickets: Goa minister Michael Lobo

PANAJI: Ports minister Michael Lobo on Friday said candidates proving winnability would get BJP tickets for the next assembly polls and that tickets would not be given merely because a person is a sitting MLA or minister.
The minister, who represents the Calangute constituency, said he had advised BJP to give tickets to winnable candidates ahead of the 2017 assembly elections, but his advice was not heeded. “Because of this, we had to go around to get MLAs to form the government,” he said, even as he admitted that there has been resentment in BJP after legislators from Congress and MGP joined the party.
Lobo said the party will now conduct a survey to ascertain who is capable of winning elections in their respective constituencies.
“Through the survey, we will be able to know for sure who can win and that person will get a ticket for that constituency. A ticket will not be given just because the person is a minister. Why should it be given to those who claim they’ve done a lot of party work?” Lobo said. “If a candidate does not have winnability, how can he win? How will the party get numbers?”
Reacting to reports of a meeting between former chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s son Utpal and former BJP Tivim MLA Kiran Kandolkar, Lobo said Utpal was a smart person and would not take a wrong decision.
Kandolkar last week announced that he would quit BJP and contest elections from the Aldona constituency.
“He must be seeking to form a new party but I don’t think Utpal will be a part of such things,” Lobo said.