Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI:
As per the data available from the Election Commission of India, eight candidates including three independents are in the fray from the North Goa Parliamentary seat, which is currently held by BJP MP Shripad Naik.
While BJP has retained Naik as its candidate from the constituency, Congress has fielded former union minister Ramakant Khalap. Another serious contender in the fray is Manoj Parab, who is heading the Revolutionary Goans Party, one of the youngest political outfits in the coastal state. Parab is contesting on the RGP ticket.
Woman journalist Milan Vaigankar has filed her candidature on the Bahujan Samaj Party ticket and Sakharam Naik on Akhil Bharatiya Parivar Party from North Goa.
Independents who are in the fray from North Goa include Thomas Fernandes, Adv Vishal Naik and Shakil Jamal Sheikh.
The South Goa Parliamentary constituency which is currently represented by Congress MP Francisco Sardinha also has eight candidates in the fray.
Congress has refused a ticket to Sardinha while fielding former naval officer Viriato Fernandes from the constituency. BJP has fielded businesswoman Pallavi Dempo while RGP has its young leader Rubert Pereira.
Woman medical practitioner Dr Sweta Gaonkar is contesting on the Bahujan Samaj party ticket and Harishchandra Naik on the Corruption Abolition party.
Three independents — Alexis Fernandes, Dr Kalidas Vaigankar and Deepkumar Mapari are also in the fray from the South Goa parliamentary seat.
