Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Tuesday finalised the names of Girish Chodankar and Roy Naik for the upcoming bypolls to Panaji and Valpoi constituencies respectively.
Following the long drawn-out saga of candidate selection, both the names were finally forwarded by GPCC president Shantaram Naik to the party high command for approval on Tuesday.
Chodankar, who presently holds the post of AICC secretary, began his political career in Congress through the National Students Union of India (NSUI). He actively articulated in students politics and later stepped in the fray for municipal elections.
Interestingly, Chodankar, who will take on Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in Panaji, was also the party's pick to contest against another political giant, Digambar Kamat.
In 2002 Goa Assembly polls, Chodankar was Congress candidate against then BJP candidate Kamat in Margao constituency. While Kamat won the seat comfortably winning 8,525 votes, Chodankar had secured a respectable tally of 3,781 votes.
The AICC secretary shares close relationship with the party high command, especially with Congress national vice president Rahul Gandhi. Known for his political connections cutting across party lines, he played an instrumental role in ensuring Congress victory at the recent Assembly polls.
"I will shoulder any responsibility that the party assigns me. I am a loyal soldier of the party," Chodankar stated.
As against this, Valpoi is all set to witness completely different dynamics with the sons of two senior Congressmen crossing swords to win the constituency.
The fight between Congress' Roy Ravi Naik and BJP's Vishwajit Pratapsing Rane in Valpoi is bound to be more ferocious than anything witnessed in the constituency for over two decades.
Speaking to The Goan, GPCC president Shantaram Naik stated, "We have forwarded the names of Girish Chodankar and Roy Naik to the AICC for approval. Once we receive the high command's nod, the candidates will file their nominations."
Sources informed that the AICC's approval is expected to arrive by Wednesday and that the nominations will be filed by August 4. August 5 is the last date for filing of nominations.
Following the long drawn-out saga of candidate selection, both the names were finally forwarded by GPCC president Shantaram Naik to the party high command for approval on Tuesday.
Chodankar, who presently holds the post of AICC secretary, began his political career in Congress through the National Students Union of India (NSUI). He actively articulated in students politics and later stepped in the fray for municipal elections.
Interestingly, Chodankar, who will take on Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in Panaji, was also the party's pick to contest against another political giant, Digambar Kamat.
In 2002 Goa Assembly polls, Chodankar was Congress candidate against then BJP candidate Kamat in Margao constituency. While Kamat won the seat comfortably winning 8,525 votes, Chodankar had secured a respectable tally of 3,781 votes.
The AICC secretary shares close relationship with the party high command, especially with Congress national vice president Rahul Gandhi. Known for his political connections cutting across party lines, he played an instrumental role in ensuring Congress victory at the recent Assembly polls.
"I will shoulder any responsibility that the party assigns me. I am a loyal soldier of the party," Chodankar stated.
As against this, Valpoi is all set to witness completely different dynamics with the sons of two senior Congressmen crossing swords to win the constituency.
The fight between Congress' Roy Ravi Naik and BJP's Vishwajit Pratapsing Rane in Valpoi is bound to be more ferocious than anything witnessed in the constituency for over two decades.
Speaking to The Goan, GPCC president Shantaram Naik stated, "We have forwarded the names of Girish Chodankar and Roy Naik to the AICC for approval. Once we receive the high command's nod, the candidates will file their nominations."
Sources informed that the AICC's approval is expected to arrive by Wednesday and that the nominations will be filed by August 4. August 5 is the last date for filing of nominations.
