AAP, Cong. candidates file papers for Panaji

The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) candidates filed their nominations for upcoming Panaji Assembly by-polls, on Friday.

Meanwhile, sources in the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP), said their recommendation of a candidate is before the Parliamentary board in New Delhi. Two names — Utpal Parrikar, elder son of late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Siddarth Kuncolienkar, former MLA and a aide of the late Parrikar — have been forwarded.

Former Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate from the Congress, who has been in several parties and accused of raping a minor, and AAP leader and city businessman Valmiki Naik filed their nominations on Friday.

Mr. Monserrate, after filing his nomination papers with the District Returning Officer in the city said he would be focussing on a youth-centric programme in his campaign with stress on employment. “The youth are the future. My focus will be on how to generate employment for them,” he said.

Mr. Naik, who had contested and lost the bypolls in 2015 said that his party would focus on working towards creating better civic amenities for the residents of Panaji.