Valpoi (Goa): Voting for the Valpoi
Assembly constituency in Goa began Monday morning amidst tight
security.
In all, 17,912 voters will exercise their franchise in
the by-election which was necessitated after sitting
independent legislator Vishwajit Rane resigned from the
Assembly seat to join Congress.
Rane is pitted against BJP's Santosh Halarnkar in a
straight fight in the constituency situated almost 80 kms away
from Panaji.
The constituency tucked in the lap of Western Ghats
has shown swinging trends in past.
It was earlier the bastion of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak
Party which later went in favour of BJP and in the recent
election Vishwajit, son of Goa's longest serving Chief
Minister Pratapsingh Rane, got elected unopposed.
Rane claims that development is a key to success here
while BJP has launched full length campaign against him.
BJP leaders have accused Rane of supporting mining
projects in this ecologically sensitive constituency which can
spell doom for the environment.
Both the parties have stressed on door-to-door
campaign and corner meetings for the election.
Strong police presence was seen in the constituency
which does not have any history of violence.
PTI
First Published: Monday, October 18, 2010, 10:16