from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Jun 14: Former chief minister Pratapsingh Rane was on Thursday chosen as a candidate for speaker's post by congress led political parties.

The special legislative assembly session to elect speaker is called on June 15 by govenor S C Jamir.

Rane, a veteran congress leader, enjoys the support of other allied parties like Nationalistic Congress party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party. Besides, his own son, Vishwajeet, an independent legislator, has extended support to his father's candidature.

The Bharatiya Janata party, main opposition in the state legislative assembly, has also fielded its candidate for the election. Mandrem constituency legislator Laxmikant Parsekar, a senior BJP leader, will be in the fray.

In yet another development, independent candidate Anil Salgaoncar, who was till now with the Congress-led government, filed his papers for speaker's post. Ironically, he was backed by two BJP legislators -- Dayanand Mandrekar and Mahadeo Naik -- who proposed and seconded his name.

With three different contestants, the election on Friday will be crucial. Save Goa Front, a Churchill Alemao-led party, with two legislators, have favoured Congress candidate while United Goans Democratic party, which its lone legislator, have not yet disclosed its stand.

Goa legislative assembly has 16 Congress, 14 BJP, three NCP, two MGP, two SGF, one UGDP and two independent candidates.