OLD GOA
With the Congress ending the suspense of the St Andre constituency seat by naming Anthony (Tony) Fernandes as its candidate, Congress Block President Manoj Palkar has thanked party leaders for keeping their word and not surrendering the seat to ally, Goa Forward Party (GFP).
Speaking to The Goan, Palkar said, “I would like to thank AICC observer P Chidambaram, AICC incharge Dinesh Gundu Rao, GPCC President Girish Chodankar and NGDCC president Vijay Bhike for showing faith in St Andre block committee and not giving this seat to Goa Forward Party.”
“I also thank GPCC president Girish Chodankar for his immense support,” said Palkar, while thanking all the aspirants for their support.
He further congratulated Tony for being declared as candidate for St Andre constituency and vowed to work for his victory.
When contacted, Tony Fernandes also thanked the Congress for choosing him as its candidate for St Andre.
“At the ZP elections, I lost by only 180 votes and it was due to the Carambolim area, which does not form part of St Andre constituency at the Assembly elections. Also, in the survey conducted by the party, I emerged as the frontrunner and people also believe that I can defeat St Andre MLA Francis Silveira,” he added.
Fernandes also exuded confidence that all aspirants for the Congress ticket would back him in the elections.
“We had met on three occasions before the announcement of the candidature and we had assured support to the person who gets the ticket,” he said and informed that they will meet again to decide the election strategy.
