Seven candidates have filed their nominations for the Sancoale ZP seat and six candidates have staked claim for the Cortalim seat.
On Saturday, the last day of filing nominations, those filing their nominations to the Sancoale ZP seat were Gilbert Rodrigues, Tulshidas Naik, Francis Nunes, Atchut Naik and Filip Fernandes (independent candidates), Bhoj Naik (MGP) and Aparna Bhoj Naik (MGP).
For the Cortalim ZP seat, those who filed their nominations were Olancio Simoes (BJP), Kalidas Naik, Mariano Dias, Lupino Xavier and Antonio Vas (independent candidates). Sitting ZP member Cintia D’Silva had filed her nomination as independent candidate on Wednesday.
Simoes was accompanied by Forest and Environment Minister Alina Saldanha and his supporters. Speaking to media persons, Saldanha said Simoes had filed his nomination for the ZP polls as BJP candidate and hence, she had accompanied Simoes.
Commenting on the support from Godinho, Simoes stated that he has been getting support from across party lines. Denying that he had approach Godinho for support, Simoes however hastened to add that he had received a call from Godinho. “During my campaign, issues such as the ‘Ghar Wapsi’ programme had cropped up. The minority community is quite upset on this and other related issues,” Simoes said.
