Mapusa: Claiming that all is well, state BJP president Sadanand Tanavade said that there is no problem within the party, adding, Panaji MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate is with the party.

“As elections approach, rumours tend to fly thick and fast but there is no internal rift,” he reiterated, while interacting with the media in Mapusa.

Replying to a question on Panaji MLA ‘Babush’ Monserrate ‘missing’ from the scene since the past few days and Manohar Parrikar’s son Utpal Parrikar making a claim for the ticket, Tanavade said that “Panaji MLA Babush Monserrate is not missing.”

“He is always with the party and rumours are being spread by the opponents for no reasons,” he added. He further said that in democracy everyone can make a claim for a ticket but the final decision lies with the parliamentary board.

“There is nothing wrong with claiming for a ticket but once an election is declared and a party ticket is given to a candidate then everyone has to stand behind that candidate and work for the party,” Tanavade said.

Commenting on Minister Michael Lobo, Tanavade said that there is no issue with him. “Unwanted rumours are being spread about him,” Tanavade said.

He said that “until the election is declared, it will not be appropriate for him, as president of state BJP, to speak directly on anything.” “As soon as the election and candidates are announced, and if someone makes a statement, I will comment on it,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said that new parties will have no impact on the BJP.

“Voters are aware that there is a BJP government at the Centre and only BJP can give a stable government to the people,” he said.

Supporting the decision over reopening of schools, Tanavade said that “I welcome the decision and there is a need to restart physical classes in the larger interest of the students. It is necessary to start schools as soon as possible by putting all SOPs in place.”