Alina, wife of former Tourism Minister Matanhy Saldanha, was declared 'elected unopposed' from this constituency.
However, Congress party leaders were left in a state of shock, as their official candidate withdrew his nomination without even informing them.
"We were not even informed by the candidate. Till late last night, he was with me. We were supposed to start the campaigning from today," said Goa Congress chief Subhash Shirodkar.
He said the candidate Raymond D'Sa, had himself sought the ticket and was chosen to contest the bypoll as he was a local leader.
BJP, on the other hand, was jubilant over the today's developments.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar claimed the Congress withdrew its candidate to avoid defeat in the bypoll.
"The election results of recent panchayat by-poll were indicative of the BJP's victory there. Congress must have thought it wise to withdraw rather than facing humiliation," he said talking to reporters in Panaji.
The bypoll, which was scheduled to take place on June 4, was necessitated after the demise of BJP legislator Matanhy Saldanha, who had died of a heart attack, few days after being inducted in the Parrikar-led Cabinet.
Parrikar said he would now induct Alina into the Cabinet in the next fortnight.
"We will have to plan the induction now," said Parrikar, whose attempts to induct Alina into the Cabinet before the polls were foiled by the Election Commission of India which alleged that it was a violation of the model code of conduct.
