Panaji (Goa) The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) on Wednesday decided to hand over the responsibility of short listing the candidates for the Panjim and Valpoi by-election to the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC).

The by-elections for Panjim and Valpoi are due in next three months. BJP has Manohar Parrikar contesting from Panjim and Vishwajit Rane from Valpoi.

Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavalekar said that CLP had discussion on few names but decided not to shortlist it. “Almost all the CLP members are GPCC members and hence it was resolved that the state executive of the GPCC will shortlist the names and submit it to the high command for decision,” he said.

Names of former Congressman Atanasio Monserrate and Roy Naik, son of MLA Ravi Naik, were discussed for Panjim and Valpoi.

The meeting also resolved to write it to Chief Minister to immediately withdraw the circular debarring the government officials from attending the meetings convened by the public representatives at their residence or office premise, except for Ministers who hold meeting in their official residence.

Condemning Hindu outfit leader Sadhvi Saraswati for her recent remarks against those eating beef, CLP decided to urge government to act tough against such leaders to maintain law and order in the State.

“Goa is a peace loving state and these leaders try to create communal disharmony. Government need to maintain law and order in the State,” Kavalekar said.

Team TNV