Congress' Kamat first to file nomination for Goa polls

The sitting MLA from Margao submitted papers to election officials on the second day of filing nominations. On the first day, no nomination was received.

The former Chief Minister walked to the election office soon after Congress in New Delhi released a list of 27 candidates, which included his name along with those of five other sitting legislators.

"I am not worried. Let there be any number of candidates contesting against me. Margao voters have always given me their support and love," Kamat told reporters after coming out of the election office.

Ruling BJP has fielded Sharmad Pai Raiturcar from Margao, the commercial hub of Goa located some 35km from here.

The former Chief Minister had been representing this Assembly segment since 1994 - first on BJP ticket (till 2005) and later as the Congress MLA. He was the Congress Chief Minister between 2007-2012.

The 62-year-old Congress leader said BJP, during its five-year rule, neglected Margao. "My election plank would be development of the constituency," he said.