VALPOI: Mr Vishwajit Rane after joining the Congress party has brought cheers on the faces of the senior Congress workers from Valpoi. Mr Rane has served as an independent legislator from Valpoi constituency in North Goa and state Health and Agriculture Minister in the Digambar Kamat-led coalition government for
three years.

Mr Vishwajit, son of veteran Congress leader and state Assembly Speaker, Mr Pratapsingh Rane, will continue as minister for six months but has to get elected from his constituency to represent Valpoi in the 40-member House.
Although there is a slow rise in temperature of ‘mid-term poll fever’, people are eager to witness the huge political game within three years. Valpoikars will now have to face two important elections, one of MLA and the other is of municipality.  Flashbacking, on the political extravaganza, Mr Vishwajit Rane had contested and won the 2007 Assembly election as an independent candidate after being denied Congress nomination. Besides winning the seat, he has managed largely to convert most of the BJP workers into his den. This can be noted from last ZP election where both his seats won with thumping majority. He is having a very good following in all over Sattari as he is popular with the quality of identifying his worker with the name.

Speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’, Mr Ashok Parob, one of the senior members of Congress from Valpoi described Mr Rane’s joining the Congress party as "homecoming" and expressed happiness on this decision which has changed the face of Goan politics. "Youth organisations and mahila mandals are his strong points to win this mid-term election. Many youth have been provided government jobs and Valpoi has not seen such a powerful dynamic leader who has been almost successful in solving the unemployment problem from this constituency," said Mr Parob, the ex-MLA.

He further stated that crores of rupees for Valpoi beautification and hospital project are his additional winning points to convince the voters. Speaking on the behalf of Congress workers he said, "His return to the Congress has given stability to the present Congress government and the development work of whole state will not hamper frequently." When asked about his stand on the upcoming election he said, being a Congressman he will extend full support to Mr Rane and will work to convince the workers and voters to elect him.

Meanwhile, when contacted another senior member of Congress and ex-MLA of Valpoi to know his stand on the high command decision of inducting Mr Rane and contesting mid-term election, he refused to comment on the topic.

As far as development is concerned his workers are satisfied but Opposition are more confident in convincing the people of Valpoi constituency as they have decided to work jointly and bring out issues which will help them to convince the voters to apply their mind in electing a better candidate.

Besides Mr Rane, so far, no new face or name is in discussion. Even, Opposition leaders at the local level are not expressing their strategies on this mid-term election.