GPCC chief Sardinha to contest Mormugao by-poll

Panaji, Oct 11 (UNI) Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Francisco Sardinha was tonight declared as the official candidate of the party to contest the October 30 by-election to the Mormugao parliamentary constituency.

The GPCC spokesman made the announcement here, saying the party High Command had cleared the candidature of Mr Sardinha.

Tomorrow is the last date for filing of nomination papers.

Mr Sardinha has been former chief minister, speaker and member of Parliament and a seasoned politician.

He emerged as consensus candidate in consultations the AICC general secretary in-charge of Goa Desk B K Hariprasad had with the party leaders during the last two days here.

This also ended the speculation on the possibility of giving the ticket to PWD Minister and SGF chief Churchill Alemao's advocate daughter Ms Valanka.

Mr Hariprasad maintained that there was no threat to the stability of Digambar Kamat-led government following denial of the ticket to Valanka.

UNI