Congress wins Goa's Valpoi bypoll

Panaji, Oct 21 (ANI): Congress wrested the Valpoi seat from the BJP with its candidate Vishwajit Rane winning the election by a margin of over 8,000 votes on Thursday.

Congress polled 11,642 votes while BJP's Santosh Haldankar could get only 3,237 votes.

The by-poll in this constituency was necessitated after Rane an independent candidate, resigned as member of Legislative Assembly and joined the Congress on June 24.

Talking to reporters, Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat said that Valpoi voters took the right step by supporting Congress.

With today's win, Congress has increased its strength in the Goa Legislative Assembly to 20 in the 40 seat House.

BJP has 14 members, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party has two, Nationalist Congress party has three and an Independent legislator. (ANI)