Panaji (Goa): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will field its state president Vinay Tendulkar as the candidate for upcoming Rajya Sabha seat in the coastal state.

“The selection of my name was done by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar by holding dialogues with the coalition partners. CM was given all the rights to decide on the name of candidate,” Tendulkar said.

The former state forest minister is currently heading party’s state unit.

Tendulkar said all the coalition partners were taken into confidence before finalizing the name.

BJP candidate will enjoy support of 12 of its party legislators and three each from Goa Forward party, MGP and independents giving him clear edge over the rival candidate.

Congress party with 16 legislators is yet to announce its candidate for RS poll, while NCP with its lone legislator has not made it clear whom they will support in the election.

The election for the lone seat of RS in Goa would be held on July 21 while the last date of filing nomination is July 11.

Congress leader Shantaram Naik is currently RS member of parliament from Goa

Team TNV