Team Herald
PANJIM: The Congress has decided to conduct a detailed assessment to identify winnable candidates before finalizing on the candidate for the upcoming Panjim by-elections, scheduled on May 19.
Congress also took dig at BJP’s possible ‘family-raj’ in Panjim, where the saffron party is rumored to have finalized (late) Manohar Parrikar’s elder son Utpal’s candidature.
Speaking to media persons, GPCC president Girish Chodankar said that the party under leadership of Chandrakant Kavlekar, will be conducting a detailed assessment before zeroing upon the candidate for Panjim by-polls. Stating that there is still time and that they are doing this exercise as they want to win, Chodankar added that the block committee has been entrusted with this task.
When asked whether party will extend support to Atanasio alias Babush Monserrate, who has announced to contest as independent, Chodankar said “the decision will be taken in consultation with block committee”.
“There are several credible leaders in the party who can contest from the seat and win it. The party’s election committee will consider all such names,” he added.
Panaji has been a BJP bastion since 1994 when (late) Parrikar was elected here for the first time.
Speaking about possible Utpal candidature, Chodankar said that it would be too early to comment on a person who is not seen in public life. “I don’t want to comment on the legacy party but let Utpal first come out in public domain. He is still in his house. Let us see what the public has to say,” he said.
BJP has asked Utpal to campaign for the North Goa Lok Sabha candidate Shripad Naik from Panjim.
