Goa plays host to political carnival

It might be off-season for tourism in Goa but that doesn't stop hordes of celebrities and top-notch politicians rushing to the coastal state.

The political bandwagon is not heading to Goa for pleasure but for work.

The leaders will be in the state to campaign for the June 2 by-election.
 
And everyone from Kyunkii's Smruti Irani to Congress star Govinda to top politicians like Lal Krishna Advani, Pramod Mahajan and Sushama Swaraj are braving the heat in the tourist state to woo the electorate.

And other leaders who are gearing to grace the state are Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Maharashtra CM minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. Even Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is planning a visit to the state.
 
The state, which is under the President's rule since March this year, will go to by-elections in five constituencies. The 40-member assembly is presently under suspended animation.

The five vacancies in Goa -- Taleigao, Cambarjua, Benaulim, Margao and Poinguinim -- have been caused following the resignation of incumbent members of Legislative assembly in the month-long political drama.

The BJP will field their cadres instead of popular figures in most of the constituencies against the five Congress candidates, who were former BJP men.
 
The election also turns crucial with the local bench of Mumbai high court, on Friday, setting aside election of two BJP legislators -- local BJP president Rajendra Arlekar and former minister Dayanand Mandrekar.
 
Though the BJP has succeeded in seeking a 30-day stay on the order to approach the Supreme Court, the Congress has taken advantage of the weakened position of the saffron camp due to the court order.

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