Poriem constituency was thriving with employment for residents, specially in government departments, during the erstwhile Congress regime thanks to the efforts of existing MLA and opposition leader Pratapsingh Rane. But recruitment in government jobs came to a halt when the BJP came to power.
The senior Rane has been heading this constituency for the last 40 years without any opposition from other contenders.
Rane was first elected on the MGP ticket, but later joined the Congress Party which was then headed by the late Mrs Indira Gandhi. Since then, Rane has been working for the upliftment of the Party.
The former chief minister of Goa is undecided whether to contest the forthcoming Assembly Elections or make way for juniors to take over his mantle.
“I have not yet decided whether to continue in active politics,” senior Rane informed the media.
Rane said he has worked hard for the upliftment of the village giving priority to good water facility, road connectivity, primary education in the rural area and health facilities. His supporters say “Kashe” will be in the fray if he decides to continue in active politics but at present they are not sure if he will bid adieu to his political career.
In the event of the senior Rane deciding to quit active politics, his son Viswajeet Rane may contest the Poriem seat. This decision has also been backed up by the Poriem Congress Block Committee.
Rane’s opponents in Poriem, the BJP Party, have struggled to dislodge the Opposition Leader from his seat, but have not succeeded for the past 20 years.
The BJP have fielded different candidates against him. These include Vasudev Parab, Deepaji Rane and now Vishwajeet Krishnarao Rane. It is likely that the Saffron Party may field Vishwajeet again in the elections next year. In the last hustings, Rane won over this BJP opponent by a margin of around 2500 votes.
The Aam Aadmi Party may also join the fray trying their luck with Sitaram Gawas, who recently quit the BJP in the presence of AAP General Secretary Pankaj Gupta at a special meeting.
Of the 23,000 odd voters in Poriem, 40 per cent of the youth are likely to play an important role in the coming elections.
Employment had played important role during the erstwhile Congress reign but less opportunities during the BJP rule has created a sort of pessimism in the minds of the Poriem people.
Of the 23,000 registered voters in Poriem, 40% youth voters will play an important role in the next elections.
