----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane turns the tables on his critics in the ongoing debate over a grand alliance. Countering the allegations of threatening the party leadership, he argues that it is because he is a loyal soldier that he is ready to brave it all to forge a Congress-led victory in 2017. In a candid conversation with Ashwini Kamat, Rane explains his idea of a Bihar-like mahagathbandhan in Goa while also speaking about the future that stares at him if the Congress fails to pay heed to his sentiments
My appeal is quite general and I am not talking solely about Vijai. What I want to communicate is that the BJP has failed on all fronts. To expose its drawbacks to the people at large, we need to forge a united front. A grand alliance is needed in order to put forward the Opposition’s views on a common platform. The people who are talking of going alone evidently have a conspiracy in mind to wipe out the party
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Goan (TG): The debate over a ‘mahagathbandhan’ appears to have gained ground within the Congress. What would be the nature of this grand alliance that you have in mind?
The Opposition’s grand alliance should be all-encompassing and should include not only Vijai Sardesai but the entire Opposition including Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, United Goans Democratic Party and Nationalist Congress Party. Congress can lead this group. The sole aim will be to avoid an Assam-like debacle. A united Opposition should exist not only in the legislature but also at the grassroots, where all can work together for a BJP-free Goa.
My appeal is quite general and I am not talking solely about Vijai. What I want to communicate is that the BJP has failed on all fronts. To expose its drawbacks to the people at large, we need to forge a united front. A grand alliance is needed in order to put forward the Opposition’s views on a common platform. The people who are talking of going alone evidently have a conspiracy in mind to wipe out the party.
It is about garnering votes. Only a ‘mahagathbandhan’ on the lines of Bihar can beat the present ruling parties. All said and done, MGP-BJP alliance will continue in 2017. What I am saying is that there is no harm in contesting as a grand alliance. Congress has nothing to lose. We began with nine MLAs and now we are technically down to seven. Babush was expelled. I want the party to revoke his expulsion and bring him back in the fold.
.
I have not done anything wrong in propagating the bigger picture for Congress. I am sticking to this demand only because I am a loyal soldier of Congress, who wants the party to rise to power in 2017. Incidentally, senior leaders from Delhi have informed me only a couple of days ago that I have been appointed as a member of the coordination committee of GPCC. I didn’t know of this previously. But if the party refuses to pay heed to my pleas, I will resign from this coordination committee.
I have communicated my suggestions and apprehensions to the AICC president and general secretary in-charge of Goa Digvijaya Singh. I have told them that this is the need of the hour. They know me well enough and understand where my request comes from.
Let’s be honest. I am not here to blackmail my own party and partymen. Whatever is being whispered is but vested interests and irrelevant rumours. I wish to state that I have not made such demands. But at the same time, I want to stress that if my sentiments are not heard and the party decides to go alone, I cannot see myself fitting into the party set-up.
In no way can I see myself entering any other political party, especially not the BJP. I will be forced to go alone. If I do that, I will focus on Valpoi constituency.
With an eye on the upcoming session, the Leader of Opposition will sit and discuss the strategy with the united Opposition that was seen last time. I will be unable to attend the first four days of the session as I have to attend to a personal matter. I have communicated the same to the Speaker. This should not be misread as boycotting the session.
There is no denying that this incident occurred. I was upset over Vijai’s statements which led to the misunderstanding. But knowing that I cannot let personal differences and political egos get in the way of a larger cause of BJP-mukt Goa, I have taken my steps back. I do not want to become a hurdle in the making of a united Opposition to topple the BJP.​
