Team Herald
PANJIM: While the ruling BJP is geared up for the by-polls scheduled on August 23, the Congress is yet to decide on the candidates to field in Panjim and Valpoi constituencies. The party plans to contest both the seats and is expected to announce the candidates in a week’s time.
With former Congress MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, who was touted as the probable candidate from Panjim, switching loyalty to Goa Forward Party (GFP), a coalition partner in the BJP-led government, Congress is in a fix over finding a strong candidate to field against BJP’s Manohar Parrikar, who has been elected from Panjim five times.
“Congress will contest both the seats and will emerge a winner. We are yet to decide the candidates. We have few names shortlisted,” Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Shantaram Naik told Herald.
He said the party will assess the names and send it to the High Command for approval. “Congress will be fighting the election on its own without any backing from others,” Naik said.
While he refused to divulge the names of any aspirants, party sources confirmed that the shortlisted candidates for Panjim are Adv Surendra Desai, Adv Yatish Naik, Sunil Kawthankar and Panjim Mayor Surendra Furtado.
For Valpoi constituency former Home Minister and current MLA Ravi Naik’s son, Roy, is the front runner. However, the party may face a backlash if Ashish Kanekar, who was the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate in Valpoi for the February 4 polls, and had later joined Congress, is denied a ticket.
“Kanekar was inducted in the party with an assurance that he will be candidate against BJP’s Vishwajit Rane. Party may have to convince him before giving the ticket to Roy,” sources said.
Political parties supporting the Parrikar-led government – Goa Forward Party, MGP and Independent MLAs – will work for the BJP candidates in these constituencies.
