Former Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane says that the ideology of development is a common factor between Manohar Parrikar and him. In an interview with Soiru Velip and Rohan Shrivastav, the former Congress MLA says that Congress lost out on the opportunity to form government in Goa due to party vice president Rahul Gandhi and Goa in-charge Digvijay Singh’s inaction
Q: What led you to resign as MLA and a member of the Congress party?
After the people of Goa gave Congress a mandate of 18 seats – 17 Congress and one Independent backed by Congress Rohan Khaunte – the manner in which the central leadership in Delhi and in-charge of Goa Congress affairs Digvijay Singh managed the affairs and discussions and negotiations, it seemed as if they were here for holidays. It was a casual approach for forming government in Goa. All of us were happy, the people of Goa were happy that they gave a mandate to Congress party and Congress would be in power. In the middle of the night of March 11, the central leaders met Vijai Sardesai and they connected him to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. But Gandhi did not give an assurance as to who would be the Congress legislative party (CLP) leader. I had a discussion with Vijai Sardesai too, and he was very much clear that his leadership choice was Digambar Kamat. And if that was the choice, the leadership should have taken approval that night itself and talked to Rahul Gandhi that this is a choice of these four people and we must announce the leader immediately. But this did not happen. Therefore, I decided to resign.
Q: What went wrong in the Congress party during the process of selection of the CLP leader?
What was the reason for the leaders to make a mockery of the process of selection of CLP leader. They continued the election of the CLP leader till the time others submitted their letters (for staking claim and support) in the Raj Bhavan and after that, hell broke loose in the room where the Congress MLAs were sitting. The MLAs started abusing Digvijay Singh and shouted at him and other leaders because he waited for too long. You are not announcing the CLP leader and then you are waiting for them to submit their letters. That means there was a conspiracy. It appeared that Digvijay intentionally wanted to destroy Congress party in Goa. He can go and say what he wants to about my having cup of tea and coffee with Manohar Parrikar, but I have no faith in him and neither do I have faith in Rahul Gandhi anymore. I have future in Goa and the people of Sattari have elected me with hope that I will work for them for employment generation and development. The people of Goa are feeling let down and betrayed by this mishandling of the situation by Rahul Gandhi and Digvijay Singh. The Congress does not deserve to be a ruling party in Goa. It lost out on the opportunity of forming government only because of Rahul Gandhi and Digvijay Singh’s inaction. Rahul needs to take politics more seriously and do away with leaders like Digvijay and others. If such things keep happening, many leaders like me will desert the Congress party across the country.
Q: As per my knowledge, you were insisting that either Pratapsing Rane or Digambar Kamat should be made the CLP leader.
I never took the name of Pratapsing Rane. I had already met Digambar in the morning on March 12 and discussed with him that in case Vijai suggests his name, the Congress leaders should announce Digambar’s name and finish off the matter. I was also of the opinion that if Digambar could bring all the people along, then his name should be announced and Rane could become the Speaker, as there was no harm. But none of these suggestions were listened to by the Congress high command.
Q: Congress had secret ballot voting for selection of CLP leader. Can you elaborate on this?
Yes. It was done and it proved to be a big joke. Digvijay lied when he said that the CLP leader was elected unanimously. He has destroyed the Congress party in Goa permanently. There is no more hope for the party. There is another group in Congress which is on the verge of coming out. Two MLAs are constantly in touch with me, but I am not taking any steps at the moment. I will ask them to join me at the right time.
Q: CLP leader Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavlekar has alleged that you leaked information of the CLP meeting and strategy to the opposition camp and has even called you a spy of the BJP. How do you react to this?
Babu Kavlekar is one of the MLAs who did not attend a single CLP meeting in the last five years. I have the minutes book of the CLP meetings, a copy of which I will be sending to Rahul Gandhi. And what should I spy on when Congress party has no strategy. There was nothing to spy on. I don’t think Babu Kavlekar can lead the Congress party in the assembly. He is a man who never raised his voice in the assembly. In fact, my name had also come up for the leader of opposition’s post, but I was in a very upset state of mind at that point of time, so I did not accept it. Most of the MLAs including Aleixo Reginaldo and Dayanand Sopte wanted me to lead the party. Nobody wanted Kavlekar as the CLP leader.
Q: There are reports that you met Manohar Parrikar before resigning as MLA. What do you want to say on this?
I had no meeting with Parrikar. I have not met him till date. I have resigned from the Congress party on my principles after seeing the circus going on in the party. Congress party lacks a serious approach and will never come to power in Goa.
Q: Another Congress leader Ramakant Khalap made a statement that by resigning from Congress, you have disgraced the legacy of Rane family. Your comment.
Ramakant Khalap should be sacked from the Congress party first. He should not worry about what I am doing to my legacy of the Congress party. I am committed to my people. Khalap has no business sitting in the Congress House and giving lectures to me when his daughter-in-law was a candidate of Aam Aadmi Party in Mapusa. Does he have any explanation on that?
Q: After this move of quitting Congress, how is your relationship with your father Pratapsing Rane, who is senior-most leader in Congress party?
I have taken the decision to quit in consultation with the people of Sattari and Usgao. I have not even consulted my father on this issue because I am committed to my electorate. I have not met him so far after this decision. I will meet him, and this decision of mine will not affect my relationship with my father although now we are politically and ideologically different.
Q: Have you decided to join any party to fight the bypoll in Valpoi constituency and how confident are you of winning it?
All options are open, including that of joining BJP. I will win the by-election in Valpoi. You should carry out the survey in Sattari. I have my own team of 6,000 votes. I have already consulted all my workers and will be organising a huge rally one of these days. Let me tell you one thing, when I am not there in the Congress party, the party will be nowhere in Sattari. Congress’ existence there was because of what we were doing there.
Q: You were always critical about BJP. Now if you are going to join BJP, then what about your ideology?
There is no ideology left. Keep all ideologies behind. The main ideology I believe is of development. My ideology is development, employment and empowerment of women.
Q: If Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar takes a decision to induct you into the cabinet, will you be comfortable with him?
See, I have worked with Parrikar in the past also. Parrikar’s and my ideology of development is the common factor. We are looking only at development and employment generation will be the focus area.
Q: Congress leaders say that you have defied the Whip, and CLP has decided to file a disqualification petition against you. How do you react?
The Whip was issued before we could take oath as MLAs so it is not valid and not registered with legislature. They can do whatever they want against me; I have no problem. I will defend myself. I have already resigned as MLA so where is the question of taking action against me.