PANAJI
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which is facing internal dissent over candidate selection in at least half-a-dozen seats, is expected to announce its list on Monday, after its Parliamentary Board meets in Delhi.
Earlier on Sunday morning Chief Minister Pramod Sawant left for Delhi and returned late night to Goa.
He met Central leaders, including BJP national president J P Nadda, over the party’s discomfiture in finalising candidates, particularly Panaji, where a determined bid by former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar’s son Utpal has put the party in a
bit of a bother.
The sitting Panaji MLA, Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, is a natural claimant for the seat and is seemingly finding favour with the party leadership. Nonetheless, the rebellious posturing by Parrikar junior is turning out to be a source of immense embarrassment for the party.
Sanvordem, where current PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar is facing competition for the party ticket from his predecessor Ganesh Gaonkar, is another seat where the ruling party is in a bind.
BJP sources meanwhile said the Parliamentary Board is expected to clear the entire list of candidates on Monday in one go.
Earlier last week, Union minister Shripad Naik had said, the State unit’s election committee had shortlisted candidates in 37 of the 40 constituencies and sent for clearance to the Central leadership.
The party is unlikely to contest in three of the eight constituencies of Salcete -- Velim, Nuvem and Curtorim.
Its current MLAs - - WRD Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues and SGPDA chief Wilfred D’Sa - - are expected to quit and contest as Independents or on other party platforms.
