Union minister Shripad Naik today dismissed suggestions that there is any real challenge for BJP from Aam Aadmi Party in Goa polls and made light of the party announcing its chief ministerial candidate.
On a day when the Election Commission announced that polling will be held in Goa on February 4, Naik said AAP was still in the "initial" stage in the state and BJP is fully prepared and will come to power.
"We did not expect (the annoucement of dates for assembly polls in Goa) so soon. Our party is fully prepared. I can say with confidence that BJP will come to power," he said on the sidelines of an event.
Asked whether he was in the fray for chief ministership in the poll-bound state, Naik said, "Whatever our party leadership decides, that will happen," he said, adding BJP has not declared a chief ministerial candidate.
Asked if AAP will pose a challenge, Naik who also holds the AYUSH ministry said, "No. AAP is in the initial stage in Goa. Goa is a different state. It is way ahead in terms of education. It took BJP 10 years to make some ground in the state. After 10 years, our MLAs got elected.
"Our principal opposition party is Congress which had nine MLAs. Recently two of them have come with us. There are four or five Opposition parties, many seats will be divided (among them) but BJP will come in majority by securing enough seats," he said.
AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had last month announced former Goa's Inspector General of Prison Elvis Gomes as party's chief ministerial candidate for the state.
Asked about AAP declaring its CM candidate, Naik while making light of the party said, "First MLAs should get elected, then (one can talk about) chief minister," he said.
In Goa, where BJP seeks to retain most of the 40 assembly seats to remain in power, AAP is being seen as a new player which plans to topple the applecart of national parties Congress and BJP.
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