Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI/MARGAO: Former Union Minister Ramakant Khalap and retired Kargil War solider Captain Virato Fernandes today filed their nominations on Congress candidature from North and South Goa lok sabha constituencies respectively.
South Goa Candidate Captain Viriato Fernandes filed his nomination at South Goa District Administration in presence of Amit Patkar, Yuri Alemao, Vijai Sardesai and Venzy Viegas.
Along with a sizable contingent of supporters, his nomination filing received resounding support from all INDIA alliance partners. Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao spoke to the public prior to submitting his nomination, emphasizing the importance of the impending election and characterizing it as a fight between the power of money and the people.
Alemao expressed trust in Fernandes, saying he will speak for the people of the country as a whole as well as the people of Goa.
Captain Viriato Fernandes underlined in his statements following the nomination filing that his candidacy represented the goals and hardships of every societal group. He talked about the suffering of young people without jobs, households hit by inflation, and ladies going through difficult times.
Fernandes emphasized that his nomination represented a team effort to confront these issues and effect positive change. In response to inquiries about his possessions, Fernandes emphasized the genuine prosperity of the neighborhood, which includes hardworking ladies, farmers, fishermen, taxi drivers, and jobless kids.
Due to time constraints, Fernandes may not have included a complete list of these constituents in his election affidavit, but he nonetheless reaffirmed his dedication to serving the community.
On the other hand, North Goa Congress Candidate Adv Ramakant Khalap filed his nomination at North Goa District Administration in presence of Congress leaders.
Khalap (76) was elected as an MP on the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) ticket from North Goa from 1996-1998.
He was the Union minister of state for law in late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s cabinet. He later left the MGP to join Congress.
As a law minister then, Khalap worked for the enactment of the Arbitration Act of India and drafted amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure of India and the Code of Criminal Procedures of India. He also introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament.
The process of filing nomination papers for the May 7 Lok Sabha elections in Goa started on Friday, April 12, with the issuing of the Gazette notification for the third phase of 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The last date to file nomination papers is April 19 from 11 am to 3 pm.
