North Goa MP Shripad Naik elected BJP new president unopposed

Panaji, Nov 6 (UNI) North Goa MP Shripad Naik was today elected the new state BJP president.

The party's central observer Nitin Gadkari announced the unanimous election of Mr Naik at a press conference here in the presence of the outgoing president Rajendra Arlakar, MLA, and the state opposition leader, former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar among others.

After being elected. Mr Naik said the BJP would come back to power after the May Assembly elections and gain absolute majority in the 40-member house.

At present, the BJP has a strength of 17 in the House with two of their legislators, including the immediate past president Arlekar having no voting rights while another lone suspended legislator Mathanhy Saldanha supporting them throughout.

The Congress has 18 legislators with two of from NCP and one each of the MGP and Independents supporting them in the coalition government.

UNI BM MJ PM DB2057