PORVORIM: It’s going to be a straight fight between ruling BJP’s Joshua D’Souza and Congress’ Delilah Lobo for the post of Deputy Speaker, the election for which is scheduled on Friday.

“In pursuance of sub-rule (1) of rule (9) of rules of procedure and conduct of business of the Goa legislative assembly, the speaker has been pleased to fix Friday, July 22 for holding the election for the post of deputy speaker of the assembly,” secretary (legislature) Namrata Ulman stated in a notification.

The Deputy Speaker’s post has been lying vacant for nearly four months.

BJP has 20 MLAs in 40-member House while Congress has 11. There are three Independent MLAs, two each from MGP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and one each from GFP and Revolutionary Goans Party.

The BJP-led government is backed by MGP and three Independents, taking the ruling tally to 25.

Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo is set to be the united opposition’s candidate.

In April, Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai had resigned from the post ahead of his elevation as Minister in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s cabinet.

The election which was initially scheduled on July 12 was postponed.