Candidates to file nominations for polls in Goa

But the Congress believes that his caste credentials (Ravi, like Shripad belongs to the Bhandari caste which accounts for nearly 30 percent of the Hindu vote) and his seniority in the party won him the ticket.

"If Ravi manages to split the Bhandari vote, we are certainly in for a chance against Shripad," a Congress official said.

In South Goa, things appear to be going BJP's Narendra Savoikar way at least for the moment. His chances are brighter thanks to confusion and simmering in the Congress ranks.

The party which until now had backed Sardinha for the seat, changed its mind last minute, finally selecting a youngster and a sitting legislator Aleixo Reginaldo for the post.

"This is a decision of the high command. They thought it fit to choose him," party president John Fernandes told reporters.