PANJIM: Congress on Wednesday appealed to like-minded secular parties, including the coalition partners in the BJP-led government – MGP and Goa Forward – to support their candidates in the August 23 by-elections in Panjim and Valpoi Assembly constituencies.
Following approval from the party High Command, the GPCC announced the names of AICC secretary Girish Chodankar and Roy Naik as their candidate for the by-polls.
Chodankar, attached to the core team of Rahul Gandhi to guide the affairs of NSUI will battle it out against Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in Panjim, while Roy, son of Ponda MLA Ravi Naik, will face Health Minister Vishwajit Rane in Valpoi. GPCC President Shantaram Naik said both candidates will file their nomination papers on Friday.
“I appeal to all the secular forces like MGP, Goa Forward, AAP, NCP and also workers of BJP, to strengthen the hands of Goa by supporting Congress for the by-election. If they want to protect the River Mandovi, then they should support us,” Naik told media persons.
GSM candidate: Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) will field its President, Anand Shirodkar, in Panjim to contest against Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in the August 23 by-polls.
HJS: The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has urged the EC to reschedule the by-polls in the State which will be held two days ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
