New Delhi, Jan 20 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday announced its first list of 34 candidates from Goa.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will fight from Sanquelim.
Deputy Chief Minister Manohar Azgaonkar will contest from Margao seat, cabinet minister Vishwajit Rane will be the candidate from Valpoi.
Vishwajit Rane's wife Dvya Rane will take on the opponent from former chief minister Pratapsingh Rane's seat Poriem.
Announcing the list, former Maharashtra chief minister and election in charge for Goa Devedra Fadnavis said the BJP has given a stable government to Goa, and expressed confidence over winning the state again.
He also attacked opposition parties, and said the Congress rule in the state was corrupt. Targeting Trinamool Congress, the former Maharashtra CM said they came to Goa with a "suitcase" and thought it was a market to buy MLAs. He also accused the TMC of being an "anti-Hindu" party.
Sitting MLA Atanasio Monserrate is the candidate from Panaji.
Former Goa chief minister and defence minister Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar had asked for the seat which had been Manohar Parrikar's seat since 1994.
Fadnavis said Utpal was offered two other seats, he rejected one, and talks are on about the second.
"I hope he will agree. BJP respects the Parrikar family," he said.
BJP General Secretary Arun Singh said in the first list, there are nine minority candidates. Three Scheduled Tribe and one Scheduled Caste candidates are fighting on general seats, while another SC candidate will fight from a reserved seat. There are two women candidates also.
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