Sources said BJP will field candidates to both posts, while the opposition said they would not be vying for the posts considering their strength in the House. It is now clear that Mayem MLA Anant Shet will be Speaker, while St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh will be the deputy.
Wagh, who was initially reluctant to take up the post was convinced by party colleagues, who had announced his name for the post at a meeting in Panjim last week.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who was on a brief visit to Goa on Thursday also met Wagh to confirm his name for the post.
“Wagh agreed to take up the post ending the controversy surrounding the deputy speaker’s election,” a party source said.
Congress has said they will not contest the election, whereas Independent MLAs said they will support an opposition candidate, if fielded by Congress.
On January 11, when the session begins, Shet who is currently deputy speaker, is likely occupy the speaker’s chair. Sources said this arrangement will continue till the speaker is appointed. Shet will then resign as deputy speaker and be replaced by Wagh.
