Sitting MP Sardinha, former president Girish Chodankar, Capt Viriato Fernandes and Elvis Gomes in fray
Ready to contest South Goa LS polls: MP Sardinha
Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: While South Goa has been a strong bastion of the Congress in Goa, the party is yet to decide on the party’s candidate for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, to be held next year.
The Congress party won the South Goa seat from BJP in 2019 when Francisco Sardinha defeated incumbent Narendra Sawaikar.
However, it would be interesting to see whether the Congress renominates Sardinha from the parliamentary constiteuncy.
Challengers to Sardinha are former GPCC president Girish Chodankar, who is known to be the close confidante of Gandhi family.
Recently Chodankar was given the responsibility of four North eastern states, which itself is a huge responsibility.
When asked about election plans, Chodankar says, he will wait for his leaders to take a call.
“It is for my leaders to decide whether I should contest or not. I am a loyal soldier of the party and ready to take any responsibility given by the party,” he said.
Besides Chodankar, the other two claimants for Congress ticket are Capt Viriato Fernandes and Elvis Gomes.
Chodankar’s proximity to Gandhi’s tilts the balance in his favour. However, the current GPCC president does not seen to be in favour of the former prez and wants to look at the other three options available.
Sardinha on the other hand said that he was ready to contest upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
“I am ready to contest upcoming Lok Sabha elections. I also have demanded the ticket. If they give me I will be happy or i will work for other candidate that is whoever gets the ticket,” said Sardinha.
He further said that all other parties in Goa are B team of BJP.
“This is not assembly polls, this is Central elections and people of Goa are well aware,” he added.
Sardinha said that people have supported and elected me as many as four times to the Lok Sabha from South Goa.
“This time, I am willing to contest the election for the last time if party gives me the ticket. I want your support and backing”, he said.
Saying he has never failed to raise Goan issues in Parliament, the MP, however, reminded the people that the MPs get the chance to speak up in Lok Sabha as per the lottery system in place.
Saying he has raised the issue of cancellation of Indian Passports of Goans who have registered their births in Portugal, with the Home Minister as well as with the External Affairs Minister, Sardinha said he is awaiting a reply from the External affairs Minister on the issue.
“Those who have voted for me in my elections know what I have done and what I can do for the people of Goa”, he added.
