Panaji: Sources in the BJP have confirmed that former Fatorda MLA Damu Naik is a frontrunner in the race for the post of the party’s Goa President. The tenure of outgoing President Sadanand Shet Tanavade ended this week, while the party has almost completed the election process. The party’s centrally appointed election observer, Sunil Bansal, will be in Goa on Thursday to oversee the process of filing nominations for the post of President.
The BJP has a history of filing only one nomination for the post, and the candidate is elected unanimously. Sources have confirmed that the party has selected Damu Naik from among the seven names forwarded to the party high command. The election process will be locally held by returning officer Premanand Mhambrey.
Former MP Narendra Sawaikar was also in the race until the last couple of days, but the party has apparently asked him to back out and support Damu. If elected, Damu Naik will become the second President of the party from South Goa. Vinay Tendulkar, who was president from 2012 to 2020, was the first President of the party from South Goa.