4 candidates file nomination papers for Pale Assembly Seat

Panaji, Nov 7 (UNI) Four candidates -- Pratap Gawas, his wife Geeta Pratap Gawas, both Congress, and former BJP Health Minister Suresh Amonkar and Rane Rajendra Narayan Rao, both independents, -- today filed their nomination papers with the Bicholim Deputy Collector Arvind Bugde to contest the by-election to Pale Assembly constituency, scheduled on November 26.

The last day of filing the nomination papers is November eight.

Dr Amonkar said he was denied party ticket by BJP in favour of Dr Pramod Sawant and he had resigned from the party yesterday to contest as an independent candidate. ''I am confident of contesting the election as an independent candidate,'' Dr Amonkar added.

A former Goa BJP President Dr Amonkar had won the Pale seat twice in the Assembly polls and was the health minister in the Manohar Parrikar government, but lost in the June 2007 election to congress candidate late Mr Gurudas Gawas. The seat fell vacant following Mr Gurudas Gawas's death.

Dr Amonkar's resignation has not yet been accepted by the party, sources said.

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