Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane has won by-election from Valpoi constituency with a margin of 10,066 votes. Rane defeated Congress candidate Roy Naik.
Vishwajit Rane has been a congressman for over the years, however, after the formation of BJP government in the state, he resigned from his post and joined BJP. The vacated seat went under the by-polls and he has emerged to be a winner yet again. Vishwajit Rane currently holds health ministry in the cabinet of Manohar Parrikar.
The by-election, which took place on August 23rd, saw two seats of Goa going under voting. Manohar Parrikar was BJP’s candidate from Panaji, whereas, Vishwajit Rane contested election from Valpoi. Both the candidates have come out winning, giving a boost to BJP’s numbers in the state. The state is now expected to see a BJP coalition government for the full term till 2022.