‘Gadkari like Pramod Mahajan who knows Goa BJP workers’

Panaji, Aug 26 (PTI) A senior Goa BJP leader todayequated Union minister Nitin Gadkari with late party stalwartsPramod Mahajan and Gopinath Munde, saying like them Gadkarialso knows all grassroot workers in the coastal state. "Nitinji knows every worker the way Pramod Mahajan andGopinath Munde used to know," Rajendra Arlekar told reportersreacting to the appointment of Gadkari as in-charge of thepoll-bound state. Mahajan and Munde had served as in-charges of Goaduring 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 topower." Responding to a query on Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP’s)campaign in Goa, Arlekar said AAP won’t be able to make evenits presence felt in the state during the Assembly pollsslated next year. "Goans know what they (AAP) are here for, what theyaim to do, what is their background. People know everything,"he added. During his recent visit here, AAP national convenerArvind Kejriwal had said that upcoming elections in Goa willwitness a direct fight between AAP and BJP whereas theCongress would be whitewashed. PTI RPS NSK RCJBAS