VALPOI: The Health Minister, Mr Vishwajeet Rane on Thursday, filed nomination papers to contest the Valpoi by-election in the presence of his wife, Dr Divya Rane, Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, president of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Subhash Shirodker, Power Minister, Mr Alexio Sequiera, MLA of Pali constituency, Mr Pratap Gawas,  vice-chairperson of VMC, Mr Umesh Gulelkar, councillor, Mr Abdul Munir Beig and various sarpanchas and councillors of Valpoi.

Hundreds of his supporters were present while Mr Rane came to file his nomination papers.
Ex-MLA, Mr Ashok Parob has filed nomination papers as a dummy candidate. Mr Rane has filed two sets of nomination papers. In all three sets of nomination papers were submitted to the returning officer, Mr Raju Gawas.
By-election to the Valpoi Assembly constituency will be held on October 18. The by-poll has been necessitated after Mr Vishwajeet Rane resigned as an MLA and joined the Congress party. The last date for filing nominations is September 29. 
Addressing the media, GPCC president, Mr Subhash   Shirodker, said Mr Vishwajeet Rane will win the election with a thumping margin of more than 5000 votes.
Meanwhile, Mr Vishwajit Rane claimed that after this election, BJP  will be completely wiped out from the Valpoi constituency and added that he will fight the election on three issues — development, employment and women empowerment.