The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday nominated former Goa Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro to the Rajya Sabha.
“We are extremely pleased to nominate @luizinhofaleiro to the Upper House of Parliament. We are confident that his efforts towards serving the nation shall be appreciated widely by our people!,” the party tweeted from its official handle.
Election to the Rajya Sabha seat is scheduled on November 29. The seat fell vacant after TMC MP Arpita Ghosh tendered her resignation on September 15.
Mr. Faleiro is likely to file his nomination next week. The former Congress leader joined the TMC on September 29 and was later appointed vice-president of the party.
The nomination of the Goan leader comes at a time when the TMC is trying to extend its footprint in the western coastal State.
TMC chairperson and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Goa in October and held a series of public events. The Assembly poll in Goa will be held in 2022 and the TMC wants to project itself as an alternative to the BJP. Sources in the TMC said Mr. Faleiro is likely to contest the Assembly polls. The TMC has ruled out any pre-poll alliance in the State.
The TMC appointed Krishnanagar Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra as incharge of Goa. This is the first big organisational responsibility for Ms. Moitra.
