MARGAO
Ahead of throwing his hat in the ring for the ensuing Davorlim Zilla Panchayat bye-poll, Trinamool Congress party Navelim block President Leon Raikar has quit from the primary membership of the Mamata Didi-led party. Confirming the development, Leon said he has forwarded his resignation to the party leaders. He made no bones of the fact that he has set his eye on the ensuing Davorlim ZP bye-poll but pointed out that he would take his workers into confidence before taking a decision to join a political party. “My workers have told me to contest the Davorlim ZP bye-poll, but I have not decided on which political party banner to contest the election,” he said, adding that the situation will be clear before the process of nomination papers kick-starts next week. The Davorlim ZP bye-poll has been necessitated following the resignation of BJP ZP member Ulhas Tuemkar after his election as the MLA of Navelim constituency. While the BJP is believed to have shortlisted a couple of candidates, Navelim Mandal Chief Paresh Naik is believed to have emerged as a strong contender for the party ticket. On the other hand, the Aam Admi Party (AAP) is believed to have almost shortlisted party leader and former Aquem-Baixo Siddesh Bhagat as the party candidate. A formal decision will be taken early next week. With the process of nomination expected to start from next week, the Congress, sources said, has a task at hand to shortlist candidates for the bye-poll.
