Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: In a major setback to ruling BJP in Bicholim, it’s sitting MLA and Speaker Rajesh Patnekar has decided not to contest the upcoming elections on health ground. More so, the party is finding it difficult to get winnable candidate in its stronghold constituency.
“I have informed the party that I do not want to contest the election on health grounds. Whichever candidate is given the party’s ticket, I will whole-heartedly work for him,” Patnekar told reporters.
Patnekar is currently undergoing treatment for COVID19 at Goa Medical College and Hospital.
Goa will go for polls on February 14.
After Patnekar conveyed his decision, BJP approached two others-independent candidates Dr Chandrakant Shetye and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), probable candidate Naresh Sawal-to contest on a BJP ticket, but they too declined the party’s offer.
Shetye is set to contest independently, while Sawal, who lost to Patnekar in 2017, is an MGP candidate.
The name of BJP worker Shilpa Naik is currently under discussion.
