PANAJI
Congress MLA Vishwajeet Rane hit back at Independent legislator Vijai Sardesai for accusing him of hobnobbing with the BJP and instead accused Sardesai of being ‘immature’ and the ‘B-team’ of the saffron party.
Speaking to The Goan, Rane, who claimed that it was obvious that he and his father were the target of Sardesai’s attack, also said Sardesai’s words were in bad taste because they reflected on the entire Opposition.
“I will not want to be part of the Congress it if aligns with the likes of Vijai Sardesai,” Rane said denying Vijai’s charges.
“Let him take Goa Forward on his own. I am making it clear that I will not like to align with such people who cannot respect others”, he said.
“People should not try to do any rubbish to remain in limelight throughout even at the cost of hurting their own colleagues in the Opposition. It simply reflects immaturity of a person,” Rane said.
He said, “Vijai should name the persons rather than cast aspersions on the Opposition members without any substance.”
“Everybody is hurt with his statement. The B Team of the BJP is exposed today,” he added.
The ‘mahaghatbhandan’ or united Opposition that was being pushed by Vijai Sardesai, a self-styled ‘shadow Opposition leader’ now lies in tatters.
Without naming anyone but hinting at the father-son duo, Sardesai had on Saturday accused certain members of the Opposition of having a ‘setting’ with the BJP in order to blunt the Opposition’s attack in the Budget session of the legislative Assembly.
Rane said that the legacy of his father is unshakable for 45 years and will not be unsettled by the latest allegations.
“My father’s legacy and integrity is well known to the people of Goa, due to which he has been in politics for 45 years as the longest serving chief minister as well as seven-time MLA,” Rane said.
“Time will tell who hobnobs with whom,” Rane said.
With the current Congress leadership showing no inclination towards the Vijai Sardesai, Rohan Khaunte and Naresh Sawal backed ‘Goa Forward’ party, the mahaghatbhandan seems unlikely. The ‘maad yatra’ too being floated by the party has met with lukewarm response so far.
