PANAJI: Leader of Opposition Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavlekar has said that Congress legislative party, which met on Tuesday, has decided to consider the winnability factor while finalising the party’s candidates in the ensuing by-election in Valpoi and Panaji.
After emerging from the meeting, Kavlekar said that there are many aspirants for by-polls to be held in Valpoi and Panaji constituencies and the party is also considering many names for both constituencies, adding that the matter was discussed in the meeting on Tuesday.
“We are having discussion with workers and aspirant leaders of the Congress party. But nothing has been finalised as the announcement of by-poll is yet to be done by the Election Commission of India. Once the date of by-poll is declared, the party will start the process of short-listing the names of the probable candidates for both the constituencies and winnability criteria will be followed while finalising the candidates,” Kavlekar said, adding that the party leaders are in touch with many aspirants including former MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate.
He also informed that the discussion was also held on candidature for Rajya Sabha seat, wherein it has been decided that the party will go for consensus candidate who should be accepted by the other party’s MLA.
“We cannot deny the fact that Congress has only 16 MLAs and if we want to elect our candidate for Rajya Sabha then we have to get four more MLAs support. However, we are trying to get support from ruling side who are non-BJP MLAs,” Kavlekar said, pointing out that since the election has been postponed the party will decide the candidate when election date is out.
The CLP leader also said that the legislators have also raised the issue of manipulation in the process of delimitation and reservation of panchayat wards by the ruling party.
Senior Congress leader Ravi Naik said that many people are demanding Congress ticket to his son Roy Naik for Valpoi by-election; however, he stated that the party will take a final decision after consulting the people of the constituency.