MARGAO
The battle lines for the by-election to the Benaulim Zilla Panchayat are finally drawn.
A total of four candidates are in the fray for the June 23 by-poll necessitated by the disqualification of Aam Aadmi Party ZP member Hanzel Fernandes after his OBC caste certificate certifying that he is a Christian carpenter was set aside by the High Court.
The Aam Aadmi Party is going all out to retain the seat by fielding Joseph Pimenta and has received the backing of the political parties, all members of the INDIA bloc.
Pimenta, however, is being challenged by Congress-turned-Independent candidate Royla Fernandes, Grrayfans Fernandes and Frank Fernandes, both Independents.
The AAP has already kicked off its campaign with party Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas along with party candidate moving door-to-door to drum up support for Pimenta’s candidature.
