PANAJI
The Congress party has finally fast-tracked the process to finalise candidates for both the parliamentary seats in Goa.
Sources said that senior Congress leaders in Delhi summoned Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, MLA Altone D'Costa and GPCC President Amit Patkar on Monday, with a final round of meetings by the Central Election Committee slated on March 27.
Although the State leaders were not reachable for comments, sources told The Goan that the Congress is now reworking its strategy after BJP picked Pallavi Dempo for South Goa.
Indications are that ex-GPCC President Girish Chodankar and Capt Viriato are the frontrunners for South seat.
Similarly, in North Goa, Sunil Kawthankar and former Union Law Minister Ramakant Khalap are the leading contenders, with alliance partners rooting for Kawthankar.
"Since the Congress leaders will be busy with protest called by INDIA Alliance against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, the final round of meeting is scheduled on March 27. The State leaders are back to Goa on Monday night, and will leave for Delhi on Tuesday evening," the source said.
