Polling for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections in North Goa, Goa, which began at 7 AM today, has seen 61.28% voter turnout till 5PM. In 2019, it was 76.99%.Sripad Naik (BJP) is contesting against Ramakant Khalap (Congress and INDIA Alliance).
The North Goa Lok Sabha constituency, one of the two parliamentary seats in Goa, has remained a stronghold for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 1999. Presently, this constituency is represented by Sripad Naik, a five-term Member of Parliament and Union Minister of State for Tourism and Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, from the BJP.
In the 2019 general elections, Naik secured victory in the North Goa seat, and the BJP has once again chosen him as their candidate for the upcoming elections.
On the opposing side, the Congress and its INDIA alliance have nominated veteran politician and former Union Law Minister, Ramakant Khalap, aged 76. Khalap has a rich political history, having served as an MP on the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) ticket from 1996-1998 and as Union Minister of State for Law in late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's cabinet before joining the Congress party. During his tenure as Law Minister, Khalap played a significant role in enacting key legislation such as the Arbitration Act of India and introducing the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament.
Also read: West Bengal 2024 Lok Sabha election phase 3: Key constituencies and candidates.
In recent years, Goa's political landscape has witnessed the rise of regional parties like the MGP and the Goa Forward Party, which have strategically positioned themselves to align with local sentiments, potentially reshaping the political dynamics of the region.
The Congress/INDIA Alliance has visibly united in the past few weeks, aiming to shift the campaign focus onto the BJP's governance record in Goa. In response, the BJP has emphasized the Prime Minister's promises and initiatives such as 'Viksit Bharat', Ayushman Bharat, and national infrastructure development, aiming to project the party as builders of a secure India with a zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
Elections in Goa are scheduled for a single phase on May 7, covering both the North and South Goa Lok Sabha constituencies.
| CANDIDATE NAME | PARTY |
| Sripad Naik | BJP |
| Ramakant Khalap | Congress and INDIA Alliance |
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