Goa BJP delays civic poll panel due to unlucky month

'Paush' month of the Hindu calendar is considered inauspicious for weddings -- but for the BJP in Goa the unsuitability of the period also extends to announcing names of its election candidates.

The Goa unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has delayed announcing its panel of candidates for the upcoming municipal elections in Panaji because it felt it was inauspicious to do so during the month of 'Paush', state BJP chief Vinay Tendulkar told media persons during an interaction here on Saturday.

"The delay is because we are in the Paush month... no other reason," Tendulkar said, adding that after 'Amavasya' (new moon night) on Monday, which signals the end of the month, the party would formally announce its panel.

'Paush' is the tenth month of the Hindu calendar and popular belief is that it is inauspicious to conduct weddings, house-warming ceremonies and the like during this period.

In the March 6 elections to the 30-seat Corporation of City of Panaji, the BJP is facing a strong challenge from a panel already floated by former Congress minister Atanasio Monserrate.

The Congress Party is also expected to float its own panel of candidates for the civic polls soon.