Goa Government grants lifelong cabinet status to Pratapsingh Rane

The state government on Thursday, January 6, decided to grant lifelong cabinet status to Goa’s longest-serving former Chief Minister and Congress Poriem MLA Pratapsingh Rane for his service to the state of Goa.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant took to Twitter to announce the decision. "Our Government has decided to grant lifelong Cabinet status to the senior-most legislator, Shri Pratapsingh Rane Ji, for his great service to the State of Goa. He has held the topmost positions in the state as the Chief Minister and Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly."

"He will always be an inspiration to the people of Goa across strata. I look forward to his continued guidance as we work towards the welfare of the people and the development of the State. I congratulate him and wish him all the very best in all his future endeavours," Sawant tweeted.

The 11-time MLA has served as the Chief Minister of Goa six times - from 1980 to 1985, 1985 to 1989, for three months in 1990, from 1994 to 1999, a month in 2005 and finally in 2005–07.

The 82-year-old still retains an overwhelming influence, having won every Assembly election since 1972. However, the veteran Congressman hinted at ‘retiring’ from active politics and stressed the need for the youth to take the party forward in the poll-bound Goa