Team Herald
PANJIM: Ahead of the hearing into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging cabinet status to ex-Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane, the Congress veteran in his reply affidavit has let it to the wisdom of the High Court of Bombay at Goa to decide the legality of government’s notification according him Lifetime Cabinet Rank.
The 83-year-old has said that he did not ask for any such honour or privilege from Goa government and it was bestowed upon him by the State in its own discretion and wisdom. Rane also urged the High Court to decide the legality of the Lifetime Cabinet Status assuring he will accept whatever decision it takes with all humility.
In December 2021, when the political parties were gearing up to contest the 2022 Assembly Polls slated in February 2022, Rane decided to walk out of the race in view of his advanced age. While his decision to retire from active politics was published in the newspapers, he told the Court that he will however, continue to do social work in whatever capacity he can to serve the people of Goa.
Rane further said that suggestion of his decision not to stand for elections held this year was induced by the Lifetime Cabinet Status notification issued on January 7 was completely false and was a disservice to him and to the many years of public service that he has put into the State of Goa.
So also his meeting in September 2021 with Devendra Fadnavis was nothing more than a courtesy call, he said.
The Goa Government, on the other hand, has submitted to the High Court that by virtue of being conferred Lifetime Cabinet status, Rane is neither appointed as a Minister nor is discharging any functions as a Minister.
