Congress withdraws from Valpoi, paving cake walk for Viswajit

Panaji, May 18 (UNI) In a dramatic development, Congress nominee Laxman Savardekar today withdrew from the contest, paving the way for a virtual cake-walk for Vishwajit Rane, son of chief minister Pratapsinh Rane, who is now pitted against BJP and MGP nominees.

Viswajit is contesting the elections from North Goa's Valpoi constituency as an independent Today was the last date for withdrawal of nominations for the 40-member Assembly. In all, 236 nominations were found valid after scrutiny yesterday.

The Congress fielded the aged former sarpanch Savardekar at the 11th hour. Earlier Viswajit had resigned from the Congress party post to contest the elections as an independent following denial of the ticket under one-ticket-one-family norm. He was the general secretary of the party in the state.

The Congress had even stated that the Chief Minister would launch campaign against his son in Valpoi. Mr Rane Senior is also locked in a triangular fight in neighboring Poreim constituency, contesting for the sixth time since 1972.

AICC secretary and MP Shantarm Naik told mediapersons later that the party would assess the situation in Valpoi and decide whom to support there, where another independent A M Shafi had also withdrawn. It cannot, however, support the BJP or MGP nominees.

Asked whether the party would support Viswajit, as it is supporting Somnath Zuarkar in Taleigao constituency following the last minute resignation of the party nominee Babush, he quipped ''we are not shocked with this development. In politics, we have to be prepared to face any eventuality.'' Political analysts believe that the Congress played a game plan to ensure that Viswajit gets the support, even as he was denied the party ticket under the so-called family norm.

With this, the party has to rest content with contesting from 32 constituencies like the BJP. Both are confident of securing a majority on their own.

Meanwhile, the election office is yet to announce the final list of candidates in the fray after examining the withdrawals today.

UNI