BJP to hold a popularity survey for sitting Goa MLAs

"We will conduct a popularity survey in the respective constituencies before re-allotting tickets to the sitting MLAs. The opinion of the party workers will also be sought in each constituency," BJP Goa Unit President Vinay Tendulkar told PTI today.

BJP has representation in 21 out of 40 constituencies of Goa, which will go to polls before March 2017.

Tendulkar said the party will announce its candidates for Goa polls one and half months in advance after the names are cleared by the Parliamentary Board.

The party which swung into power in 2012 Goa elections will kick off its campaign for upcoming polls through public meeting on August 20 that would be addressed by its National President Amit Shah.

"Shahji will launch the poll campaign for Goa. After that we will be holding various interactions with sections like businessmen, farmers, tribals and others," Tendulkar said.

Responding to a question, he said Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has already ruled out returning to Goa politics.

"Parrikar has already told the people during birthday celebration of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar that the upcoming polls would be fought under leadership of Parsekar," Tendulkar added.

The BJP Goa chief said the party will not announce the chief ministerial face for the state, but would wait for the elected legislators to take a call on it.