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From Our Special Correspondent

Panaji, Apr 9: Former AAP candidate from Goa's Valpoi constituency Ashish Kanekar has joined Congress party ahead of the scheduled by-election, which is necessitated after legislator Vishwajit Rane resigned as MLA.

"Ashish Kanekar who had contested recently held Goa Assembly polls on AAP ticket from Valpoi constituency has joined Congress. The party (Congress) is getting stronger every passing day in this constituency though Rane has quit," said AICC Secretary Girish Chodankar.

He said Kanekar has joined the party unconditionally and decision on who should be contesting election during the upcoming by-election will be taken by the leadership.

The then Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane who got elected on Congress ticket had resigned in March from the House and also had quit the party. Rane was protesting against Congress' failure to form the government despite winning on majority seats.

Rane had recently joined BJP in presence of State Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

"Congress party which has a strong base in the constituency is all set to defeat Rane in the upcoming by-election. The party has large support base here and its candidate will surely defeat Rane restoring the tally back to 17 in the State legislative assembly," Chodankar said.

Chodankar said the by-election which will be announced shortly will not be just a poll but a process to induct self respect and pride in the lives of Valpoi voters.

The Congress leader alleged that Rane took the decision to join BJP only to gain power. "What is shocking is that Vishwajit claims he resigned from Congress because people from his constituency wanted him to do so. This is absolute lie. People were never taken into confidence by Vishwajit who has acted like a typical greedy politician," Chodankar said.