Last date for filing nominations is Feb 24
PANAJI
With the deadline just two days away, the contest for the Corporation of the City of Panaji is heating up. Most Opposition hopefuls are expected to file their nomination papers on Monday.
While all 30 candidates from the BJP‑backed panel led by Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate filed their nominations last Friday, the Opposition 'Ami Panjekar' panel had only one -- former mayor Surendra Furtado -- filing his nomination.
Ami Panjekar's Utpal Parrikar had said that the names of his panel’s candidates will be announced at the last moment to avoid pressure on them from rival groups.
Meanwhile, Furtado announced on Sunday that his son Leonid, will contest from Ward 7 and file his papers on Monday.
Former councillor, Sheetal Naik, who is the wife of Taleigao hopeful Dattaprasad Naik, is likely to enter the fray from Ward 6, while another loyalist of the former BJP leader from Taleigao, Naresh Chari is expected to contest from Ward 13. Chari had narrowly lost from the same ward in 2021.
Sources said, the Opposition panel may also support independent candidates in a few wards against the BJP-backed Monserrate panel even as indications are that direct contests are shaping up in several wards.
In Ward 9, Surendra Furtado will face Kabir Makhija of the Monserrate-led panel and in Ward 6, a battle royale could ensue between Monserrate confidante Bento Lorena and Sheetal Naik.
In the neighbouring Ward 7, Furtado's son Leonid will face Sanjeev Desai a former Panaji Mandal president of the BJP.
In Ward 13, former mayor Uday Madkaikar who has been shifted from his traditional Chicolnem ward, faces a challenge from Naresh Chari.
The total number of nominations filed for the CCP elections thus far rose to 35 with three more candidates having filed their papers on Saturday.
Brijesh Kavlekar has filed papers from Ward 12, Namrata Sardesai in Ward 26, and Dattaray Halarnkar in Ward 28.
The last date for filing nominations is February 24 at 1 pm and scrutiny will happen on February 25. The SEC has fixed voting for March 11 with counting slated for March 13 at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium.
The election is expected to be a straight fight between Monserrate’s BJP‑backed panel and Parrikar’s Ami Panjekar panel.
