OLD GOA
Even as the BJP declared 34 candidates for the forthcoming Assembly elections, the suspense in two Tiswadi constituencies continued with the party yet to name its candidates in St Cruz and Cumbarjua.
And the suspense is being attributed to none other than Panaji’s BJP MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate.
A reliable source within the BJP informed that Monserrate wants his candidates to be named in all five constituencies of Tiswadi, namely Panaji, Taleigao, St Cruz, St Andre and Cumbarjua.
“Already, he along with his wife Jennifer and aide, Francisco Silveira, have got BJP tickets in Panaji, Taleigao and St Andre respectively. However, Babush wants more and is seeking tickets for his aide, Agnelo da Cunha, in St Cruz and for Janita Madkaikar, wife of Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, in Cumbarjua,” the source added.
The claims by the source make sense as Babush has been reiterating time and again that he is going to win all five seats for BJP from Tiswadi.
However, standing in his way is his former aide and sitting MLA Tony Fernandes in St Cruz as also Anil Hoble and others. “Also, BJP’s St Cruz block has opposed giving ticket to an outsider,” the source added.
In Cumbarjua, there are two other strong contenders for the BJP ticket, MP Shripad Naik’s son Siddesh, and Rohan Harmalkar.
