Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113057430900.htm

National

Congress retains Pale

Prakash Kamat

PANAJI: The ruling Congress in Goa on Saturday retained the Pale Assembly constituency in north Goa when its candidate Pratap Gawas defeated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Pramod Sawant by a margin of 1534 votes in the by-election held early this week. Mr. Gawas polled 7,867 votes while Mr. Sawant polled 6,333 votes. The former Health Minister, Suresh Amonkar, a rebel BJP candidate, who contested as an independent after being denied the BJP ticket, secured 3,682 votes which proved decisive.

The seat fell vacant on the death of Congress MLA Gurudas Gawas, younger brother of MLA-elect Pratap Gawas.