Congress mulls changing LoP in Goa Legislative Assembly

The Congress is considering to remove Pratapsingh Rane from the Leader of Opposition (LoP) post in Goa Legislative Assembly over "unhappiness" among party workers over his performance, a party leader said today.
"The move was discussed this week during the visit of All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Digvijay Singh, as several party workers are unhappy over functioning of Rane on the floor of the House," the Congress leader said on condition of anonymity.
"Name of former state Chief Minister Digambar Kamat is being considered for occupying the post," he said.
Pratapsingh Rane has been the LoP in the state Legislative Assembly since 2012.

"There is no resentment against Rane in Congress Legislature Party (CLP), but many workers are unhappy with his performance as the Leader of Opposition. The workers are bigger than CLP," Congress MLA Pandurang Madkaikar told reporters.
"The High Command will decide on it," the Cumbharjua MLA said, refusing to speak further on the issue.

When contacted, Rane, who has been in past criticized by his party colleagues for lack of aggression, said he would abide by the party's decision.
"Let the party take the decision. My future course of action would be decided later," he said.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Luizinho Faleiro could not be contacted for a reaction.

Congress had fought the 2012 Goa Legislative Assembly polls under the leadership of Rane as a campaign manager. The party, which was in power then, was trounced to single-digit number of seats.
The Congress again had a setback in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, when it lost in both the Parliamentary constituencies of the state.
The next Goa LA polls are due before March, 2017.