Digvijaya should retire from politics, says Vishwajit Rane

According to Rane, Goa Forward Party had showed their intention to forge an alliance with Congress

Mounting attack on AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh, who is under fire for the "blunder" which blew the Congress' chances to form government in Goa, former party legislator Vishwajit Rane on Friday said it's time the veteran politician called it quits.

"Digvijaya should now take retirement from politics. The kind of blunder he along with other Congress leaders did, cost the party its government (in Goa) despite having a majority," Rane told PTI, a day after he quit the party.

"I don't know whether Digvijaya really wanted to form the Congress government in Goa. Looking at his actions, it did not seem like (he did)," he said.

The 45-year-old Rane had defied the party whip during the crucial floor test in the Goa Assembly yesterday, jolting the Congress, which came one down from the 17 votes it had against the government, when he absented himself.

Rane, son of former Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane, alleged that the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting which was held in the party office after winning 17 seats in the Goa assembly polls was a mere "joke".

"The meetings continued for long and nothing was being decided. Entire day, media was outside the hotel and meetings continued. On the other hand, BJP held a video-conferencing with their leaders in Delhi and within no time, they cobbled up an alliance," he said.

When BJP and alliance partners gave the letter of support to Governor Mridula Sinha, the Congress woke up from its slumber and got into action, Rane added.

According to Rane, the Goa Forward Party had showed their intention to forge an alliance with Congress and form the government, if Digambar Kamat was elected as the CLP leader.

"But the party took time to discuss on the proposal of GFP and lost out on the opportunity to form the government," he claimed.

The three-time MLA also said he would be re-contesting from Valpoi constituency and reiterated that he was "open to all options" and even fighting on a BJP ticket.

"Once I am elected, I will tender my support to the Manohar Parrikar-led government. We can't sit in Opposition and let the constituency suffer. People have high expectations during the next five years," he said.

Rane also rubbished the rumours that his father would be quitting the Congress.

"My father is not going anywhere. He is a loyal Congressman and he will be with them," he stressed.

The Manohar Parrikar government yesterday proved its majority on the floor of Goa Assembly by winning the trust vote with the support of 22 legislators in the 40-member House.

Later, the Congress in Goa today expressed anguish over Vishwajit Rane's move to resign as a Member of Legislative Assembly.

"The step taken by Vishwajit Rane is unfair and disgusting. He has not only sullied his own image but also that of his father," Goa Congress spokesperson Ramakant Khalap told reporters in Panaji.

"The manner in which he defied the whip and the manner in which he walked out of the House and later submitted his resignation, explains the menace level of Rane. Party condemns his behaviour. We are very angry with him," he said.

"He has insulted the electorate and that is why the people from his constituency are convening us their anger and displeasure towards the entire act," the spokesperson added.