BJP 'ready' for all ZP seats, may opt to back independents

MARGAO
State BJP President Damu Naik on Friday said that efforts are underway by the party to field candidates in all the Zilla Panchayat seats in the upcoming polls.
He, however, hastened to add that the party would consider backing independents in certain ZP seats which are not considered strongholds of the party.
He told the media that the candidate selection process, which was set in motion by the party, is nearing completion, and the list of shortlisted candidates will go to the State Election Committee for a final decision. “The party has already completed one round in the candidate selection exercise. Names for the party ticket will be considered based on a host of factors, including experience of the candidates, the say of the MLAs, support enjoyed from the workers, opinion of the party’s core committee and the survey report,” he said.
He added: “By and large, the party would like to contest all the elections in all the Zilla Panchayat seats. But the party is also open to backing independent candidates in areas where the party has no strong base.”
To a question on women’s reservation, the BJP Goa Chief said that the party will definitely consider giving more representation to women beyond the reservation provided by the system if the ground reality warrants the same.
“The party will go by the reservation of seats as per the rotation system. But if the need arises, the party will not shy away from taking a call on giving extra seats to the womenfolk,” he added.