AAP quietly emerges as prime contender to take on Ranes in Sattari
Valpoi — the only taluka in Goa that shares a border with two different states — Maharashtra and Karnataka has for the longest time been represented by the Ranes.
The senior Rane, Pratapsingh, was first elected to the then Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu in the year 1972 to represent the Satari constituency in the 30 member house. Back then in the 30 member house , the entire Satari was a single constituency. It was bifurcated into — Poriem and Valpoi in 1989 after Goa became a state and Rane continues to represent the constituency till date.
In 2007, his son Vishwajit won from the neighbouring constituency of Valpoi as an independent MLA and has won from the constituency since then.
In effect for the last 15 years, it is the Ranes that have ruled Sattari taluka — the question now is — will that dominance continue after 2022 for yet another five year term.
While Vishwajit appears to be gung ho and more or less sure to retain his constituency questions remain about his father Pratapsingh Rane, with many suggesting that he may decided against contesting after representing the people for close to five decades — expected to complete five decades with the conclusion of the current term.
Vishwajit himself has not made himself clear with several options — in theory — available to him. He could shift to the Poriem constituency represented by his father while setting up a proxy in neighbouring Valpoi constituency. The parties on which the duo will contest also remains up in the air with the senior Rane a Congressman while the son is in the BJP for the moment. Whether he sticks with the BJP or decides to float his own front or choose some other option also remains in the air.
In terms of opposition to the Ranes, the BJP’s Vishwajit Krishnarao Rane formally joined the AAP on November 16. Having been with the BJP and the prime contender to take on the senior Rane, Vishwajit K Rane came close over the last two elections. However, with uncertainty now prevailing in the BJP camp with Vishwajit Rane now in the BJP, he has jumped ship to the AAP. Vishwajit K Rane lost to Pratapsingh by not very wide margins making him a prime contender to take on the senior Rane.
With regard to the junior Rane, it was Satyavijay Naik who was the BJP’s hope in 2017 to defeat him. With junior Rane now in the BJP Satyavijay Naik has also moved to the AAP.
It is no surprise, then, that a plain look at the figures would suggest that it is the AAP that will be the prime contender to defeat the Ranes in Sattari. Whether they can pull it off is another matter altogether.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made it a point to visit the Sattari taluka and even promised the villagers land rights, one of their long pending demands besides also offering the people to restart mining, something he said he would do within six months.
The Congress too has a stake in the elections but it appears that in Sattari at least, the AAP is ahead of them in the queue to take on the Ranes. Of course, much remains to be determined with senior Rane still, on paper a Congressman and should he decide to continue to contest elections and do so on a Congress ticket, then he will be the prime contender to retain the seat.
By – Andrea Fernandes
