MARGAO:
Despite the party announcing its decision to field candidates in 37 Assembly constituencies and back Independents in Nuvem, Benaulim and Velim, BJP President Vinay Tendulkar told The Goan on Wednesday that the party is still open to supporting independent candidate in Navelim.
Avertano, on the other hand, made it amply clear that he would accept BJP support for his candidature, but firmly ruled out the possibility of contesting the election on the BJP banner. “From day one, I have maintained that I will only contest as an independent. I will go ahead and contest the coming election as an Independent,” he said.
When The Goan contacted Tendulkar to shed light on whether the party will field a candidate in Navelim as per his announcement, he said the party leadership is taking stock of Navelim constituency. “Though I have announced that Navelim is one of the constituencies where BJP will field a candidate, the party is still open to supporting an independent,” he said, adding that a correct picture will emerge soon.
