Valanka throws hat in ring for South Goa Congress ticket

MARGAO: As Congress grapples with the decision of whom to award the party ticket in South Goa for the Lok Sabha polls, a new name has propped up placing the party high command in a quandary and leading to a delay in the announcement of the candidate.
Sources said while the position of Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco as a contender for the ticket is gaining strength, former PWD minister Churchill Alemao has made a strong pitch for the candidature of his daughter Valanka Alemao.
While Churchill and Valanka had talks with senior Congress leaders in New Delhi on Sunday, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, whose name was initially cleared by the party before being sent to the parliamentary board for approval, returned to Goa on Sunday after meeting party leaders in Delhi.
Sardinha, when contacted, said that he met AICC general secretary in charge of Goa Digvijaya Singh in New Delhi but confirmation about his ticket was not forthcoming.
Speaking to TOI over phone from the national capital, Churchill confirmed that he had talks with several Congress leaders including Singh and political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Ahmed Patel and defence minister A K Antony.
"The meetings were good. We have staked claim for the ticket for Valanka. She has good chances of getting the ticket. The Congress party has been favouring induction of new faces and young blood in important positions, while laying great stress on women empowerment. We have tried to convince them about how Valanka has done lot of party work in Goa, including her contribution in the recently held NSUI elections," Churchill told TOI.
Further trying to justify Valanka's claim for the ticket, Churchill pointed out that Congress had allotted as many as 12 tickets to Youth Congress presidents so far. "Valanka is heading the Youth Congress in Goa. If they can give 12 tickets to Youth Congress presidents, surely Valanka deserves one. Besides, she is a lawyer," Churchill added.
Valanka, speaking to TOI, claimed that the fact that she was invited by the high command indicates that her work at the grassroots, particularly in the NUSI elections, has been recognized by the party leadership. Asked how she fancies her chances of victory if given the ticket, Valanka said, "I will not shy away from contesting and give my best."
Sources said that in North Goa the nomination of former home minister Ravi Naik as Congress candidate is almost finalized, though talks between Congress and NCP over seat sharing in Goa are still in progress.
Battle Royale
Original contenders
Francisco Sardinha, Luizinho Faleiro, Churchill Alemao, Ravi Naik
Later entrant
Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco
Newest name
Valanka Alemao
Poll schedule
Nominations will be accepted from March 19
Polls will be held on April 12
Counting on May 16