Ranjit Rane, Manisha Usgaonkar quit key party posts
VALPOI
The Congress party in the Valpoi constituency has suffered another setback with senior leaders Ranjit Rane and Manisha Usgaonkar resigning from their respective party posts following the appointment of Girish Chodankar as Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president.
The resignations have renewed concerns over the party’s future in the constituency, where Congress has struggled to regain strength since Health Minister Vishwajit Rane quit the party and joined the BJP.
The Congress high command replaced Amit Patkar with Girish Chodankar as GPCC chief, a decision that reportedly triggered resentment among sections of party workers across Goa and led to a series of resignations.
In Valpoi, the exit of Ranjit Rane and Manisha Usgaonkar has intensified worries about the party’s organisational strength ahead of the Assembly elections, expected later this year or early next year.
Ranjit Rane had led the Congress organisation in Valpoi for nearly a decade after Vishwajit Rane’s departure weakened the party in the constituency. During this period, he worked to rebuild the organisation and maintain the party’s presence in Assembly, Zilla Panchayat and Lok Sabha elections.
He also played a key role in fielding Congress candidates in all Zilla Panchayat constituencies in Valpoi despite difficulties in finding willing candidates, helping sustain the party structure in the region.
Speaking on the issue, Ranjit Rane said he was disappointed with the appointment of Girish Chodankar without consultation with grassroots workers.
He said the lack of consultation and disregard for workers’ sentiments compelled him to resign from the State Executive Committee.
When contacted, South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes reportedly said he had no information about the developments.
Meanwhile, Manisha Usgaonkar, who had been active in the Congress women’s wing and organisational activities in Valpoi, also resigned from her post as General Secretary. She too expressed disappointment over the leadership change, stating that party workers were not consulted before the decision was taken.
The twin resignations are seen as a significant blow to the Congress in Valpoi and have raised fresh questions about the party’s organisational future and electoral prospects in the constituency.
