Panaji: A setback for the Congress ahead of the Assembly elections in Goa. Former Chief Minister and senior leader Pratap Singh Rane has withdrawn from the contest. Rane withdrew his nomination after his daughter-in-law came forward as a candidate.
However, Pratap Singh Rane, 87, said he did not contest due to old age and was not under pressure from his family. In December, the Congress announced Rane as its candidate for the Porim constituency. Rane, who has represented Porim constituency in the Assembly 11 times, has not lost a single election in the constituency so far.
Last week, the BJP announced that Rane’s daughter-in-law Divya Vishwajit Rane would be the candidate in the fray. Divya’s husband and Pratap Singh Rane’s son Vishwajit Rane is currently a minister in the BJP government. Vishwajit, a former Congress leader, joined the BJP after the 2017 assembly elections.
Earlier, there were reports that Vishwajit would be contesting in the fight. But Vishwajit is contesting in the nearby Valpoi constituency. Pratap Singh Rane has denied allegations that he withdrew from the contest as demanded by the BJP to help his daughter-in-law win.
English Summary: Pratapsinh Rane, Facing Daughter-In-Law, Withdraws From Contest