MARGAO
Candidates of the Nationalist Congress party (NCP) on Friday filed their papers for the Velim and Nuvem seats, even as the Trinamool Congress party candidates also filed their papers for the Velim and Fatorda seats.
Congress Benaulim candidate Tony Dias, who filed his papers on the last day, told the media that he enjoys good response to his candidature from the people of Benaulim. He has promised to oppose the linear projects and to set up a 50-bedded hospital in Benaulim constituency.
Outgoing Minister in the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government Filipe Nery Rodrigues has filed his nomination papers, seeking re-election from Velim constituency on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) banner.
He later told the media that he has taken the decision to contest on the NCP banner after due consultations with his workers and supporters. He said the NCP carries the secular ideology and its policies and programmes are similar to that of the Congress party, which he had left three years ago.
When questioned whether the BJP is not a secular party, Filipe Nery said the BJP has not been accepted by the minorities in Salcete as evident by the 2017 results, when the party had failed to win even a single seat.
Former Velim Independent MLA Benjamin D’Silva filed his papers for the Velim seat on the Trinamool Congress party banner. He exuded confidence of winning on the TMC banner, saying that the Congress party has no future in the State. He promised to spruce up the health sector to cater to the requirements of the citizens and create employment opportunities for the youth.
Former minister Mickky Pacheco has filed his nomination papers for the Nuvem seat, this time on the NCP banner. He told the media that he has good chance of regaining the seat after a gap of 10 years.
Amongst others who filed their papers on Friday are Adv Seoula Vas on the TMC banner and ex-BJP Gajanan Bhise as an independent.
