Nitin Gadkari like Pramod Mahajan who knows Goa BJP workers

Panaji, Aug 26 A senior Goa BJP leader today equated Union minister Nitin Gadkari with late party stalwarts Pramod Mahajan and Gopinath Munde, saying like them Gadkari also knows all grassroot workers in the coastal state.

"Nitinji knows every worker the way Pramod Mahajan and Gopinath Munde used to know," Rajendra Arlekar told reporters reacting to the appointment of Gadkari as in-charge of the poll-bound state.

Mahajan and Munde had served as in-charges of Goa during BJP's foundation years. Terming appointment of Gadkari as "very encouraging", Arlekar, who handles Forest portfolio in state cabinet, said, "Every grassroot worker is happy with his (Gadkari's) appointment. I feel under his guidance, BJP will again come to power."

Responding to a query on Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP's) campaign in Goa, Arlekar said AAP won't be able to make even its presence felt in the state during the Assembly polls slated next year. "Goans know what they (AAP) are here for, what they aim to do, what is their background. People know everything," he added.

During his recent visit here, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had said that upcoming elections in Goa will witness a direct fight between AAP and BJP whereas the Congress would be whitewashed.

PTI