BJP, Congress candidates file nomination for Goa Speaker post

Candidates of the ruling BJP and the Congress on Monday filed their nomination papers for the post of the Speaker of the Goa Assembly. The contest is due on June 4.

While the ruling BJP-led coalition alliance has fielded BJP MLA from Bicholim Rajesh Patnekar, the Congress has nominated former Speaker and former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane.

"We have chosen Rane as he is a senior member. He is also an ex-Speaker and an ex-CM who has completed 50 years as a legislator," Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar told reporters after Rane filed his nomination papers.

Rane appealed to the members of the treasury benches to vote for him.

Patnekar thanked his party and coalition allies for giving him an opportunity to contest for the post. "I am confident of winning it," he said.

The coaltion comprises 17 BJP MLAs, three MLAs of the Goa Forward party, one Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA and three Independent MLAs. The opposition currently comprises 15 Congress MLAs and one legislator of the Nationalist Congress Party.

The election has been necessitated after Speaker Pramod Sawant was appointed the Chief Minister in March, following the death of Manohar Parrikar. BJP MLA Michael Lobo is currently the acting Speaker.

--IANS

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