Team Herald
PANJIM: Former Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane joined the BJP at a function at the party headquarters in Panjim on Thursday. It, incidentally, was the party’s Foundation Day.
His entry into the party fold, in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, BJP MLAs and State BJP President Vinay Tendulkar, brought thousands of supporters from Valpoi constituency to the BJP office.
“The main reason why he (Rane) quit Congress was constant infightings and restlessness in the party (Congress). He was fed up and hence gave his resignation. We welcome him in the BJP,” Parrikar told media persons.
Parrikar and Rane preferred to remain silent on the latter’s induction in the cabinet and the portfolio he would be holding stating that the media would be informed about it. However, Rane on Wednesday night had told his supporters that he would be allotted the Health and IT portfolios.
With his induction, Parrikar said he is optimistic that BJP will be strengthened in the otherwise Congress-dominated Sattari taluka. “We will capture Poriem and Sattari with his (Rane) entry into the BJP,” he stated to which Rane nodded in agreement.
Responding to media queries about his contribution to the party, Rane said, “The members of Valpoi Congress block also quit to join BJP. We will strengthen the CM’s hands and the BJP in Sattari. We are committed to the goals of the party and selflessly work towards it.”
Asked whether his father, Pratapsingh Rane would follow in his footsteps, Rane replied, “You should ask him,” adding, “I took his blessings before joining the party. He is my father. I had told him yesterday (Wednesday) that my supporters and I will join the BJP. He had no problem.”
Rane denied he had been entering and exiting the Congress often. “I have never done that. I was denied a ticket by the Congress in the past which is why I contested as an Independent. Before the elections, I was wanting (to) tie up with BJP.”
On March 16, Rane walked out the House, immediately after being administered oath as MLA. This reduced the Congress’ strength to 16 MLAs. He then resigned as MLA and from the Congress and subsequently announced his intentions to join BJP and re-contest.
Parrikar ridiculed Congress’s decision on filing a disqualification petition against Rane stating that this can be done when a politician is a member of the Assembly. “When someone who is not MLA, how can there be disqualification. People should study the law and speak,” he said.
