BJP drops 2 ministers, fields two couples in Goa for upcoming state Assembly polls

Goa's chief minister Pramod Sawant will be BJP's contestant from Sanquelim while deputy chief minister Manohar Ajgaonkar will contest from Margaon, as per BJP's list of candidates for 34 seats for state Assembly polls.

Utpal Parrikar, son of former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar was, however, missing from the list that was issued on Thursday. Parrikar has been expressing his desire to contest from the Panaji seat. The BJP, however, has given the seat to sitting MLA Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said the party has asked Parrikar to consider some other seats.

The BJP has given tickets to nine Christians, topping the 6 seats given by the party in 2012. The party has dropped two ministers--FN Rodrigues and Deepak Pauskar. The party has given tickets to two couples--Atanasio Monserrate and his wife Jennifer (Taleigao), and Vishwajeet Rane (Valpoi) and wife Divya Rane (Proviem).