RS poll: BJP to announce coalition candidate tomorrow

The BJP will announce the coalition candidate for the July 21 election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Goa tomorrow before Chief minister Manohar Parrikar leaves for the US on Thursday.
According to sources, the BJP has shortlisted seven candidates after consulting its ruling allies, the Goa Forward Party, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, and three Independents.
Prominent among those whose names are doing rounds are the state unit BJP president Vinay Tendulkar and the former minister Rajendra Arlekar.
"We are holding discussions with all MLAs, including those from our coalition partners, over the selection of a candidate (for Rajya Sabha). The process to shortlist the candidate is going on, whose name will be announced tomorrow," Parrikar told reporters today.

Parrikar's seven-day visit to the US begins on July 6. He is expected to return to Goa on July 13.
Congress leader Shantaram Naik is the current Rajya Sabha MP from Goa.
The last date for filing of the nomination for the July 21 poll is July 11.
In the 40-member House, the current strength of which has been reduced to 38 following the resignations of a BJP MLA and a Congress MLA, the BJP has 12 members, the Congress 16, the MGP (3), the GFP (3), the NCP 1, besides the three Independent legislators who are supporting the saffron party.