The Congress party has announced its candidates for Lok Sabha seats in Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, marking a significant move ahead of the upcoming general elections.
In Goa, Capt. Viriato Fernandes and Ramakant Khalap have been chosen for the South and North Goa constituencies respectively, with the notable exclusion of sitting MP Francisco Sardinha from the South Goa seat.
Meanwhile, Satyapal Singh Sikaewar, Praveen Pathank, and Narendra Patel have been named as candidates for Madhya Pradesh's Morena, Gwalior, and Khandwa constituencies respectively. Additionally, Ajit Ramjibhai Mahla has been nominated for the Lok Sabha seat in Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
The BJP, in response, has nominated Shripad Yesso Naik for the North Goa constituency and introduced Pallavi Dempo, the executive director of Dempo Industries, as its candidate for South Goa. Notably, Dempo's candidacy marks the first time a woman has been fielded by the BJP in Goa for the Lok Sabha elections.
The Lok Sabha elections in Goa, with its two parliamentary constituencies, are scheduled to take place on May 7. In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured victory in the North Goa seat, while the South Goa seat was won by a Congress candidate.
In Madhya Pradesh, the Lok Sabha elections will span the first four phases of the total seven, slated for April 19, April 26, May 7, and May 13. These developments come amidst a broader electoral landscape as the country gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, scheduled in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with results to be declared on June 4.