from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Jan 18: The Athawale faction of the Republican Party of India will contest seven of the 40 constituencies in Goa in the next assembly elections.

"We will contest in seven out of 40 constituencies. The party has increased its voter base in the state and we will make a mark in all the constituencies we are vying for," RPI's Goa unit's executive president Santosh Mandrekar told reporters here.

Assembly polls in Goa are scheduled for the middle of this year.

RPI's Goa leaders met national leader Ramdas Athavle, who gave the green signal to contest in the seven constituencies.

RPI, almost a non-political entity in Goa, had contested 1993 elections in Dhargal constituency, where it polled 2,500 out of 16,000 votes.

This time, the party has chalked out an extensive election plan that includes fielding its candidate in Poriem constituency, which is represented by Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane, Mandrekar said.

The RPI will also contest from Dhargal, Bicholim, Siolim, Mormugao, Vasco and Sanguem constituencies. "We have organised a massive rally in Panaji in February as a warm up for the elections," he said.