After a huge delay the Congress has finally declared their candidates. Ramakant Khalap has been declared as the candidate of North Goa and Capt. Viriato Fernandes has been given the South Goa candidature by sidelining the sitting MP Francisco Sardinha.
The announcement was made on very next day after the manifesto release in the morning of Friday and a meeting of the AICC Central Election Committee in the evening. The meeting was attended by the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Amit Patkar and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.
The name of both Amit and Yuri along with Girish Chodankar and also Sunil Kauthankar were making rounds earlier. However, the congress in their 12th list, finally unveiled the names which were awaited for over 25 days.
Prior to this announcement, the Congress party had been grappling with internal dissent and disarray, as various factions pursued independent campaigns amid a conspicuous silence from top leadership on candidate declaration. The delay had led to growing discontent among party cadres and political analysts, particularly in South Goa, which has historically been a Congress stronghold.
Earlier, the party had hinted at a symbolic timing for the candidate declaration, with spokesperson Vijay Bhike suggesting that the names would be revealed on the auspicious occasion of Padwa festival. However, the unveiling of candidates came much earlier than anticipated, amidst mounting pressure.
With Ramakant Khalap and Capt. Viriato Fernandes now set to represent the Congress in North and South Goa respectively, the stage is set for a keenly contested election in the state. As the election fervor intensifies, all eyes will be on the Congress party’s bid to regain its foothold in Goa’s political landscape.
