Delhi poll results might influence Panaji by-polls: Congress

PANAJI: The Congress party in Goa has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking to reschedule the proposed Panaji by-election and schedule it along with Delhi elections.

"The Delhi election results are likely to influence Panaji by-polls. We want both elections to be held on the same day," Congress General Secretary Altinho Gomes said in a letter addressed to the Election Commission of India today.

Panaji by-polls are scheduled on February 13, while Delhi polls would be held on February 7.

"It is surprising that the election dates of Delhi and Panaji do not take into account the aspect of voting results at one place influencing the other," the letter read.

The Panaji constituency by-election were necessitated after the then MLA Manohar Parrikar resigned to take up an assignment at the Centre as defence minister.

The BJP has already announced Siddharth Cuncolienkar as its candidate, while the Congress contender is city Mayor Surendra Furtado.