From correspondents in Delhi, India, 08:02 PM IST

What was the excuse a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state president gave for not being present when the candidature of a rival was announced, despite the party boss being present? He was attending a funeral.

That's what happened in Panaji. NCP state president Dr Wilfred D'Suoza was not present when the candidature of NCP candidate from North Goa Jitendra Deshprabhu was announced. The poor vibes between the two have been pretty clear during the poll campaign.

Even NCP chief Sharad Pawar had a tough time explaining the absence of the state party head. Dr D'Souza, or Dr Willy as he is referred to, was also conspicuously absent from the party meeting earlier when Deshprabhu's name was shortlisted as the Congress-NCP alliance candidate.

He clarified later that he had to attend a funeral.

Dr D'Souza was missing again at a press conference held on the last day of campaigning, where Deshprabhu was present.

Embarrassed Congress and NCP state bigwigs tried to make light of the matter. Probably the NCP state president was at another funeral.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)