VALPOI
A political battle is set to get personal for the Rane family in Sattari.
With both former chief minister Pratapsing Rane and his son determined to contest from Poriem constituency, the health minister has advised father to “gracefully retire” from public life or else, has threatened to defeat his father if there is a contest between them.
Rane Sr decided to contest the forthcoming assembly elections once again, following demands from Congress supporters in the taluka.
After having won assembly elections for a record nine times in Sattari taluka, Rane Sr (83) had been expected to withdraw from the elections and seek political retirement.
However, all that changed when Congress workers from Poriem and Valpoi constituencies met him at his residence on Tuesday and implored him to contest the assembly polls.
Among those who met Rane Sr included Valpoi Congress Block President Harishchandra Mankar, former sarpanch and sitting Panch Sushant Paste, Panch member Riteish Naik and Ranjit Rane.
During their talks, Rane Sr initially said he would not contest the elections, but later changed his mind following demands from party workers and agreed to contest elections.
“I am an honest and senior activist of the Congress party. As a result, we will contest elections in these constituencies and we have the support of party workers,” said Rane Sr.
News of his decision to contest elections spread thick and fast, sparking off an angry reaction from his own son.
“The BJP has full confidence in me. We had discussed in detail about the political retirement of my father and he had agreed to take political retirement,” said the health minister.
He lashed out at the Congress for pushing his father to contest elections.
“Congress workers who are non-existent in the party are urging him to contest the forthcoming elections.”
“I will have a detailed conversation with my father to ensure that he retires politically given his advanced age and does not contest the forthcoming assembly elections. However, if he does not back down, we will contest elections in Poriem constituency and we will win the seat for the BJP,” said Rane.
Meanwhile, a number of activists are reportedly in talks with Rane Sr in a bid to avoid a possible confrontation and contest within the Rane family. Some have requested Rane Sr not to tarnish his image at the twilight of his decades-long political career.
