PANAJI
The State Bharatiya Janata Party begun the first day of the New Year by holding meetings of six of its mandal committees seeking suggestions for probable candidates to contest the upcoming State Legislative Assembly polls.
While in five constituencies “ Shiroda, Panaji, Siolim, Fatorda and Dabolim “ there was consensus on a single candidate, Porvorim was the only constituency where two names emerged for the party’s candidature. The meetings were chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and other senior BJP leaders.
Two names came up for candidature in Porvorim constituency “ Guruprasad Pawaskar and Mahanand Asnodkar. While both the candidates had almost equal supporters, they were informed that the party would take a final call after a survey and feedback on both candidates is carried out.
In Shiroda constituency, only one name emerged for the candidature “ Industries Minister and present MLA Mahadev Naik. However, after the meetings of all six constituencies was over, a group of members in Shiroda constituency which is unhappy with Naik once again met party leaders separately at about 8.30 pm with their grievances. Sources informed that BJP is working out a solution to keep the flock together so that the party’s prospects in the constituency are not affected.
As regards Panaji is concerned, incumbent Panaji MLA, Sidharth Kuncalienker was the only choice of the mandal committee. Sources informed that Panaji constituents were also of the opinion that once he is re-elected he should be given a cabinet berth. It was also learnt from reliable sources that the members were informed that Krishnaraj Sukerkar, who was expected to contest the upcoming election as a Goa Suraksha Manch candidate, would not contest the poll.
In Siolim, only one name came up for candidature “ Art and Culture Minister Dayanand Mandrekar. Similar was the case with Dabolim constituency where Mauvin Godinho’s name was highlighted and Fatorda where Damodar Naik was the choice of constituents.
The State BJP has completed meetings of members in 16 constituencies as of now. The party is likely to complete the entire process by January 10 after which the final list of probable candidates will be sent to the parliamentary board which will announce the candidates.
