Panaji, March 30 (IANS) At least 19 candidates are in the fray for the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa and none of the parties seem to be on a sure footing with the election less than three-week away.
Seven candidates are contesting for the North Goa seat, where sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Shripad Naik will see a tough challenge by Congress leader Ravi Naik. In the battle, both the members of the numerically powerful Bhandari caste appear similarly matched.
While Ravi has been chief minister twice, Shripad is a three-time BJP MP and was a former union minister of state in the National Democratic Alliance government at the centre.
Similarly both are plagued by their respective weaknesses. While the Congressman has been linked to the drug mafia in a legislative committee report on drug mafia-police-politician nexus, the BJP candidate could be hit by cumulative anti-incumbency and is often seen battling allegations of lacklustre performance in parliament.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Dattaram Desai, a medical practitioner is also an activist of the yesteryears. Once a part of Shripad Naik's core team, Desai has dollops of regard in Goa's rural areas, but he appears to be lagging behind the two mainstream heavyweights.
Communist party of India (Marxist) leader Suhas Naik and former deputy chief minister Dayanand Narvekar as an Independent candidate are the other significant candidates locked in the contest, after the last date for withdrawal of nomination expired Saturday.
In South Goa constituency, the contest is even more spread out, with 12 contestants in the fray.
With the sitting Congress MP Francisco Sardinha denied a ticket for the seat, which has more often than not returned a Christian candidate, the party has fielded its legislator Aleixo Reginaldo. His biggest challenge comes from Narendra Savoikar of the BJP, who was runner up in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.
While its never been easy going for the BJP in South Goa, its chances look better this time, with two Congress rebels throwing their hat in the ring.
Former chief minister Churchill Alemao resigned from the Congress after the party refused to heed his demand of allotting his daughter the seat. He is now contesting as an Independent.
The other rebel is Sardinha's son Shalom, who resigned from the party, accusing the Congress leadership of being "disrespectful" to his father by denying him a ticket.
Both are expected to nick crucial votes of the Christian community from the Congress kitty, which could prove costly for Reginaldo.
AAP's Swati Kerkar and tribal leader Govind Gaude are the other key contestants for the seat.
Goa's two Lok Sabha seats go to polls April 17.
Meena Ganesh Passes Away: Malayalam actress Meena Ganesh is no more, she showed her acting skills from theater to the big screen.
Famous actress of the Malayalam film industry Meena Ganesh has said goodbye to the world. Today, Thursday 19 December, she breathed her last during treatment in a private hospital. According to
Haryana government's big move, state board examinations of 10th are canceled, 12th exam postponed
Chandigarh. After the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board canceled the 10th examinations, the Haryana government has also canceled the Haryana School Education Board Bhiwani C 10th
Corona cases rise again in the country: 2.11 lakh new cases, 3,841 deaths on the previous day; Relief that more people were cured than newly infected in 26 states
In the last 24 hours, 2 lakh 11 thousand 275 new corona were found infected in the country. More than that, 2 lakh 82 thousand 924 patients were cured. 3,841 died. It is a matter of some concern that
NEET UG 2022: List of exam center cities for NEET-UG 2022 released, check here
NEET UG 2022: National Testing Agency i.e. NTA has released the list of cities of examination centers for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate, 2022/NEET-UG 2022. This list is now
Narayan Murthy reiterated his commitment to working for 70 hours and made this special appeal to the youth.
Narayan Murthy, co-founder of Indian IT company Infosys, has again reiterated the need to work 70 hours a week and appealed to the youth to work hard for the development of the country. Murthy first
The next Mahakumbh will be presented to the world as a new symbol of India: Yogi Adityanath
Mahakumbh 2025 will also be unforgettable with Mahadivya and Mahabhavya. A new Prayagraj will be seen in this Mahakumbh, whose splendor and glory will be seen by the whole world. This biggest
Funding of 3 trusts of Gandhi family including Rajiv Gandhi Foundation to be investigated, Home Ministry constitutes committee
The Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted an inter-ministerial committee to investigate the alleged irregularities in financial transactions in three trusts belonging to the Gandhi family,
Himachal CM advocates preservation of customs
Shimla, March 23 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday said he has always advocated preservation of customs and culture for the future generations.Speaking at the
Rahul took 3 daughters of MP in a helicopter: promised in Ujjain... fulfilled in Rajasthan; Student said – will always remember
Rahul Gandhi fulfilled the promise made to three students of MP during the Bharat Jodo Yatra within 10 days. Former National President of Congress, Rahul Gandhi is currently in Rajasthan in his Bharat
Inflation hit Bangladesh: Petrol and diesel prices increased by 52% for the first time since 1971, and angry people took to the streets
People in Bangladesh are troubled by inflation. Here the government has increased the prices of petrol and diesel by up to 52%. Angered by this, people protested in many places. According to media
