the goan I network
PANAJI
This calculation is based on the time required by the Election Commission (EC), which is two to three months to prepare for elections.
Speaking to The Goan, an official of the CEO said, “Considering that we would require two to three months to prepare for the by-polls, they will have to take a call at least by June-end.”
As per the Constitutional requirement, Parrikar will now have to get elected as an MLA within six months from the time he has been sworn-in as the Chief Minister on March 14.
Considering that BJP has 13 legislators in the newly constituted State Legislative Assembly, one of them will have to resign as an MLA to make way for Parrikar, to facilitate his election to continue as the chief minister of the State.
Though no final announcement has been made on which constituency Parrikar will contest from, two constituencies which are on everybody’s mind are Mapusa represented by former Deputy Chief Minister and Senior BJP Leader Francis D’Souza and Panaji represented by its young MLA Sidharth Kuncalienker.
While Mapusa could be considered safe for Parrikar to contest as the winning margin has been nearly 7000. However, though the margin with which the BJP won in Panaji was slightly more than a thousand votes, it could be considered by Parrikar as he has represented the constituency for over two decades. Nonetheless, an added advantage for him would be that he has already been appointed the chief minister of the State.
Speaking to The Goan, both D’Souza and Kuncalienkar have offered to give up their seats for Parrikar to contest, if the Party tells them to do so.
“I have said it time and again that whatever assignment the Party gives me, I have always performed to the best of my abilities and successfully. So this time too whatever the Party tells me, I will definitely do it”, said Kuncalienker. D’Souza said, “No problem. I would.”
Earlier, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral Speaking to The Goan Everyday, a senior BJP leader said, “We are yet to decide on which constituency Parrikar will contest from. In most likelihood, the decision would be taken after the budget session is over.”
