Goa, July 22 -- The BJP on Tues day chose to stand by its State vice-president and former South Goa MP Nar endra Sawaikar after his alleged branding of pro testing youth as 'termites' triggered a fierce backlash across Goa, with opposi tion parties and youth or ganisations accusing the ruling party of displaying contempt for a generation demanding accountability. Rather than apologise for the demeaning remark, Sawaikar deleted the so cial media post and de fended it as an expression of his personal views.

The BJP, meanwhile, made clear that it had no intention of distancing itself from the former South Goa MP. "My post was simple. I expressed my feelings. Anybody has the right to do that. Everybody has the freedom to ex press their views...