Pratapsingh Rane seeks blessings before kick-starting poll campaign

Further fueling speculations that veteran Congress leader Pratapsingh Rane is likely to contest the next month's Goa Assembly elections from Poriem, the 11-time MLA and 6-time chief minister went on a temple spree, seeking blessings before he begins his election campaign.

The veteran leader sought blessing at Bhumika Devi Temple at Poriem, Ajoba temple and Pandurang Mandir in Sanquelim on Monday. He was accompanied by his wife Vijayadevi Rane and his supporters.

In December, Congress had named Rane as its candidate for the Poriem constituency while BJP has picked his daughter-in-law and wife of Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, Deviya Rane, as its candidate for Poriem.

Last week, the senior Congress MLA, who has been sending out mixed signals about his future in politics, said he will fight the elections on a Congress ticket. "If the party has declared my name as the candidate then the question of me not contesting does not arise," Rane had said.

A four-time MLA from the neighbouring Valpoi constituency in Sattari, Vishwajit Rane, who is vehemently opposing the idea of his father contesting yet another election, insisted that the senior Rane must “gracefully retire” after completing 50 years as a legislator.