It’s the battle of the Rane in-laws in Poriem

Team Herald 

PANJIM: The stage appears to be set for a family battle within the Ranes in Poriem constituency as former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane launched his campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls on Monday. 

If Rane remains firm in contesting the Assembly polls for the 12th consecutive term, then he will face his daughter-in-law Divya Rane, who has been fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Poriem. 

On Monday, Rane along with wife Vijayadevi and his workers took the blessings at the Shree Bhumika Devi temple at Poriem and launched his election campaign. 

There were strong reports that senior Rane, who will turn 83 on Saturday, would retire from politics as his son and Divya’s husband Vishwajit Rane had suggested, even as the Congress has renominated him. 

Importantly, people would like to known if natural age-related issues and frailties which senior Rane suffers from would allow him to be fit enough to serve a full five year term, his 12th. 

It also remains to be seen whether Rane would recommend his wife’s name for the seat. But whether it is he or the wife, it looks like a dynasty politics in the two national parties. But will it be a tight contest, or a friendly fight, that is a question that it is still early to answer. 

Earlier, Rane had hinted at retiring from politics and is now learnt that he was annoyed following Maharashtra Leader of the Opposition Devendra Fadnavis’ statement that he had consulted him while, deciding on giving the BJP ticket to his daughter-in-law Divya Rane. 

Questions were also raised on whether Vijaydevi would be the candidate as both – husband and wife – had together sought blessings at the temple. 

Poriem constituency is Rane’s stronghold as he has been representing it since 1972. He will complete 50 years as a legislator on March 24 this year even as the new Assembly has to be constituted before that date. 

The Goa government had already bestowed life-long cabinet status on Rane for his services. 

Stating that the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) has finalised Rane’s name from Poriem, All India Congress Committee (AICC) election observer P Chidambaram on Sunday had said that if Rane decides to opt out from the fray then he has been asked to suggest the name of the candidate. 

In such a situation there is every possibility that Vijayadevi Rane could be the Congress nominee. But Rane is also on record that he would contest the election.