Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113059210700.htm

National

Congress retains Pale

PANAJI: The ruling Congress retained the Pale Assembly seat in north Goa on Saturday, defeating the BJP by 1,534 votes in the November 26 by-election.

Its candidate Pratap Gawas polled 7,867 votes and his rival, Pramod Sawant 6,333. The former Health Minister Suresh Amonkar, a BJP rebel, who contested as independent, secured 3,682 votes which proved decisive in the constituency.

The seat fell vacant following the death of the Congress MLA Gurudas Gawas, younger brother of Mr. Pratap Gawas.

The win comes as a boost to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who has been leading a shaky Congress-led coalition.

Bitter at having been denied party ticket, Mr. Amonkar, a former Goa BJP president, said, “I achieved my goal. This is a fitting reply to the BJP.”

He denied that he revolted against the party.