Congress retains Pale seat

Panaji, Nov 29 (UNI) Congress has retained the Pale Assembly seat in the by-election to the state Legislative Assembly constituency held on November 26.

Congress candidate Mr Pratap Gawas has won the seat with 7,867 votes, by a margin of 1,534 votes over his close rival and BJP candidate Dr Pramod Sawant with 6,333 votes, according to the results declared today.

Former Health Minister Dr Suresh Amonkar, who contested as an independent candidate after being denied the BJP ticket, polled 3,682 votes.

The by-election was held in the constituency after the seat fell vacant due to the death of Gurudas Gawas of Congress and brother of Pratap Gawas.

Two other candidates - Jose Lobo from Save Goa Front (SGF) and independent Rajendra Naraynrao Rane - polled 158 votes and 351 votes respectively.

Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president said that the people have shown faith on Congress and Mr Gawas would continue with the works left incomplete by his brother.

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