Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Rupesh Samant

Panaji, Jul 11: It would be a clash between party chiefs of BJP and Congress for the lone Rajya Sabha seat during the election scheduled to be held on July 21.

BJP’s Goa chief Vinay Tendulkar and his counterpart from Congress Shantaram Naik today filed nominations for the seat. Both have claimed that they would emerge victorious with the support of other parties including Goa Forward Party, MGP and Independents.

Tendulkar who was accompanied by the legislators from his own party and alliance partners including Goa Forward Party, MGP and Independents submitted his nomination form to State Legislature secretary N B Subhedar.

"All the coalition partners in the government has extended support to my candidature due to which I will have smooth sailing on July 21 when elections would be held," Tendulkar told reporters after filing the nomination papers.

Tendulkar said his candidature was finalized by chief minister Manohar Parrikar after consulting all the coalition partners, who have given unconditional support.

Later in the afternoon, Two times Rajya Sabha member of Parliament from Goa Shantaram Naik who was accompanied with Congress leaders including Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar submitted his form.

The sitting RS member said that though Congress on its own don’t have the number to get him elected "the secular forces who are with BJP would be voting for him."

"I am fully confident that I will be the winner. We will approach all the secular minded people who are supporting BJP led alliance," Naik said hinting at having dialogues with Goa Forward Party, MGP and Independents for the support.