The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party on Friday announced its first list of 18 candidates at a crowded press conference on Friday including the names of new entrants and current independent MLA Naresh Sawal, Goa Cricket Association Vinod “Balu” Phadke and former Congress minister Manohar “Babu” Azgaonkar.
Announcing the names, party president Pandurang “Deepak” Dhavalikar said that the candidates would all file their nominations next week.
While Sawal will contest his current stronghold of Bicholim, Phadke will contest from Mapusa and Azgaonkar will contest from the reserved seat of Pernem.
Besides the current MGP MLAs who have all been given tickets with Ramkrishna “Sudin” Dhavalikar contesting from Marcaim, Deepak contesting from Priol and Lavoo from Ponda, the party has handed tickets to former BJP MLA Vasudeo Meng Gaonkar in Sanvordem.
In other constituencies Shridhar Manjrekar will take on Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar in Mandrem, current San André sarpanch Jagdish Bhobe, Abhay Prabhu in Siroda, Vijay Gaonkar in Valpoi, Manesh Arolkar in Vasco da Gama, Premanand Nanoskar in Dabolim, Conceição Dias in Curtorim, Dilip Naik in Fatorda, Satyavijay Naik in Navelim and Deepak Pawaskar in Sanvordem.
In the Cumbarjua constituency, the party has decided to back independent candidate and panch of São Mathias (Divar) panchayat Prasad Harmalkar.
Party President Deepak Dhavalikar said that the party would announce the next list of about another eight names early next week where several crucial constituencies will be announced.
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Replacement for
Sukerkar: GSM
seeks more time
* The Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) has sought more time to finalise its candidate in Panaji
* It says candidature of Sukerkar would be decided only in the coming days owing to his health issues
* The GSM has already announced the candidature of 4 in Siolim, Mayem, Sanquelim and Curchorem
* Two other candidates would be announced later, says the party
