BJP finalizes candidates for 25 seats including 12 sitting MLA’s.

 TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s state election committee on Thursday finalized candidates for 25 constituencies that included constituencies of its 12 sitting MLAs. Names of the two sitting MLAs, Canacona MLA Vijay Pai Khot and Sanguem MLA Vasudev Gaonkar’s names however did not figure in the list. The list will be sent to the Central Election Committee of the party for final approval, informed our sources.

BJP has decided to allot six constituencies to MGP, and likely to declare the alliance decision in the next two days. The candidates will be announced by the BJP National President Nitin Gadkari who is likely to visit Goa in the next two days.

When contacted BJP State President said the meeting was inconclusive, and they will meet again to finalize the list. He confirmed that the BJP National President will be in Goa either on February 4 or 5.

Gadkari is expected to announce their alliance with MGP. Sudin Dhavalikar finally resigned from the government Thursday ending the speculations whether alliance was on.

Our sources said BJP has agreed to allot six seats to its ‘to be’ alliance partner –Priol, Ponda, Marcaim, Dabolim and Quepem. One seat remains to be decided. BJP might offer St Cruz to MGP and Dinar Tarcar who is keen to contest from St Cruz might be given a MGP ticket, said our sources.

BJP’s National President Nitin Gadakari is expected to make the annoucement of the alliance during his Goa visit. The BJP’s election committee has not decided candidates for the balance nine seats.

In all probability it might not field any candidates in all the nine seats as per its understanding with regional parties such as Goa Vikas Party and UGDP.

In Cumbharjua, BJP is likely to support the candidature of Nirmala Sawant who is preparing to contest as an Independent.