PANJIM: The death of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has necessitated fourth by-election for Goa Legislative Assembly from Panjim constituency.
Parrikar was representing Panjim Assembly constituency, which will now go for second by-election in as many years in current term of the Assembly. The first by-election took place in August, when Parrikar stepped down as Union Defence Minister and contested.
The Chief Minister, who was then Union Defence Minister, was given oath without being member of Legislative Assembly.
BJP, which was searching for safe seat to contest for Parrikar, zeroed down on his traditional Panjim constituency, which was then represented by party leader Siddharth Kuncalienkar.
Kuncalienkar had resigned on May 10, 2017 to make way for Parrikar.
The by-elections for Shiroda, Mandrem and Mapusa Assembly constituencies are announced on April 23 and the notification for the same will be issued on March 25.
The current strength of 40-seat Goa legislative Assembly has been reduced to 36 with BJP having 12 MLAs, Congress 14, three each from Goa Forward Party, MGP and Independents while one is of NCP.
