Cong may prop ex-cop Gaonkar as Cong candidate for crucial Mandrem by-poll

 

PANAJI:
Caught in the severe competition among multiple claimants, most of them stalwarts of the past, the Congress leadership in Goa may just about decide to opt for a fresh face - recently superannuated top-cop Umesh Gaonkar - for the impending by-poll to the Mandrem assembly constituency. Gaonkar, who retired on superannuation as Superintendent of Police last week, hails from Mandrem and requests nominating him have been pouring in to the Congress leadership from prominent citizens including party workers from the area.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar, when contacted, said Gaonkar's name has not figured during party discussions on strategy for the by-polls.
He, however, admitted that the party has received requests and suggestions in recent days proposing that his candidature be considered.
Gaonkar, on the other hand, said he has not considered or given a thought to joining politics.
Some people spoke of Mandrem and the by-elections during the function held on Thursday to felicitate him, the former police officer said.
"I will think about it if and when it happens," is all Gaonkar said when asked what would be his disposition if the Congress makes an approach with a proposal to be its candidate.
The Congress is hemmed by the problem of many in the task to choose a candidate for Mandrem.
Former Union law minister, Ramakant Khalap, former two-term MLA and spokesperson Jitendra Deshprabhu and Sachin Parab, the son of former minister Sangeeta Parab, are all said to be fancying their chances of making the cut but their hopes could be dashed if the party chooses the easy way out and courts the affable ex-cop Umesh Gaonkar.