Sonia to decide on South Goa bypoll candidate

Panaji, Congress President Sonia Gandhi will take final decision on party's candidate for Lok Sabha by-poll in the constituency of South Goa (Mormugao), after considering views of local leaders, a senior Congress leader said today.

"Everyone has right to claim the ticket but final decision will be taken by the party president," AICC General Secretary and Goa desk in-charge B K Hariprasad told media over phone.

The Congress in the state is abuzz with the ticket issue as former Congressman and Save Goa Front (SGF) party president Churchill Alemao has put claim for the same.

Alemao is seeking ticket for his daughter Valenka, who intends to make her political entry with the by-poll.

"Everything will be decided after considering all the reports from the state unit and leaders. Nothing is decided at the moment," Hariprasad said.

"Congress doors are open to everybody who believes in party ideology and leadership of Sonia Gandhi", Hariprasad, who was recently appointed Goa state incharge replacing Margaret Alva, said. He is currently touring Gujarat and is yet to visit Goa after taking over the charge.

Meanwhile, Alemao, who is a Minister in Congress-led state government, today said his daughter will contest Lok Sabha election on Congress ticket. He said she will join the party before staking claim for the ticket.