Congress finalizes candidates for Goa Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Ramakant Khalap for North Goa and Capt Viriato Fernandes for South Goa.
Ramakant Khalap has received the nomination for the North Goa seat, whereas Captain Viriato Fernandes will be running for the South Goa seat. Fernandes, a former Indian Navy officer, was chosen over the incumbent MP Francisco Sardinha to represent the party. These decisions regarding the Goa candidates were finalized during the AICC Central Election Committee meeting, which was attended by the president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, Amit Patkar, and the leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao.
In the North Goa constituency, the Congress candidate Ramakant Khalap will face off against BJP’s Shripad Naik, while in South Goa, Captain Viriato Fernandes will compete against BJP’s Pallavi Dempo. Speculations had arisen regarding the potential candidacies of Amit Patkar, Yuri Alemao, former state Congress president Girish Chodankar, and vice-president Sunil Kauthankar leading up to the announcement. However, the Congress finally unveiled the awaited names in its 12th list after a delay of more than 25 days.
Congress Finalizes Candidates for Goa Lok Sabha Elections 2024
The postponement of candidate selection stirred discontent among party members, particularly in South Goa, a traditional Congress stronghold. In contrast, the BJP had already settled on its candidates. The confirmation of Ramakant Khalap for North Goa and Viriato Fernandes for South Goa as Congress candidates sets the stage for a tightly contested election in the state. As election fervor intensifies, attention will be focused on the Congress’ efforts to regain its influence in Goa’s political landscape.
At the age of 76, Ramakant Khalap successfully held the title of Member of Parliament representing North Goa under the banner of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) from 1996 to 1998. During his time in office, he held the position of Union minister of state for law in the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s cabinet. Following his departure from the MGP, Khalap joined the Congress party.
During his time as the law minister, Khalap made significant contributions to the legal framework of the country. He was actively involved in shaping the Arbitration Act of India and played a crucial part in its development and implementation. Furthermore, he played a key role in formulating amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure and the Code of Criminal Procedure of India.
