Mapusa: Former deputy chief minister and BJP’s former Pernem MLA Manohar ‘Babu’ Ajgaonkar said he will return to Pernem politics. This has triggered sharp reactions within the BJP-led alliance camp.Ajgaonkar, who shifted to Margao for the 2022 assembly elections, said the constituency has regressed by five years due to the “inaction” by Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar.Pledging to complete his “unfinished” developmental projects, Ajgaonkar said he is confident that the party would field him in the next elections, while inaugurating a new constituency office.While Arlekar questioned his motives, Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar labelled Ajgaonkar a “retired” politician who should “return to the pavilion”. However, Ajgaonkar dismissed the criticism as a sign of insecurity and levelled allegations against Arolkar regarding land conversions in the taluka.The former deputy chief minister’s office opening saw a significant turnout, as he vowed to be available daily to address public grievances.
