Margao: The day after the Congress cleaned the nomination of 83-year-old legislators Pratapsing Rane for the contest from Poriem in the upcoming polls, the Veterans of the Congress on Friday denied that the party had completed the nomination.
“No, Congress hasn’t finished my ticket,” Rane told Toi.
“I haven’t been told about that by the party.” Rane’s affirmation was seen as an indication that he was in two minds about the election during another term.
With Congress officially announced Rane’s nomination, the day after his son, Minister of Health Vishwajit Rane, said he would compete against his father and defeat him, it seems that the stage was set for the father’s father’s contest versus the son in Poriem.
The attitude that has turned Senior Rane has confused the leadership of the Congress that pays attention to the development in Poriem and Junior Rane’s movement.
Sources in Congress but hope that Rane SR will compete in Congress tickets even though leadership is exploring choices in case he refuses to contest due to the pressure from his family.
Rane, who has completed 50 years as MLA, has never lost the election from Poriem – where he has won since 1989, the first election after Goa reaches the state he is now challenged by his son Vishwajit, who represents Valpoi’s constituency.
While Rane SR was studied not too interested in opposing polls 2022 at first, he changed his mind after his supporters insisted that he competed.
“I have to listen to my classroom,” he said two days ago while announcing his decision to fight the poll.
In September, the selection of the BJP Goa election in charge of Devendra Fadnavis had visited Rane SR at his residence, along with the State President of BJP Sadanand Shet Tanavade.
While Rane had rejected the visit as a courtesy call, Fadniv said his party had received blessings from veteran politicians.