Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane (born 23 March 1971) is an Indian politician and a cabinet minister in the Government of Goa headed by Pramod Sawant. He is the son of Pratapsingh Raoji Rane who is a former Chief Minister of Goa and an incumbent Indian National Congress party MLA in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Rane was the Minister of Health, Agriculture & Craftsmen Training in the Government of Goa led by Digambar Kamat from June 2007 to March 2012. Rane resigned as the MLA of the Valpoi Constituency[9] and also from the Indian National Congress on 16 March 2017.[10]

Vishwajit Rane
Rane in 2017
Minister of Health
Government of Goa
Assumed office
12 April 2017[1][2]
Chief MinisterManohar Parrikar
Pramod Sawant
Preceded byFrancis D'Souza[3][4]
Member of Goa Legislative Assembly
Assumed office
2007
Preceded byNarahari Haldankar
ConstituencyValpoi
Minister of Health, Agriculture & Craftsmen Training
Government of Goa
In office
24 June 2010[5] – 3 March 2012[5]
Chief MinisterDigambar Kamat
Minister of Health, Agriculture & Craftsmen Training
Government of Goa
In office
25 June 2007[5] – 24 June 2010[6]
Chief MinisterDigambar Kamat
Personal details
Born
Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane

(1971-03-23) 23 March 1971 (age 53)
Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Other political
affiliations
Indian National Congress (2007–17)
SpouseDeviya Rane[7]
ParentPratapsingh Raoji Rane (father)[8]
Alma materT. A. Pai Management Institute
WebsiteOfficial website

Rane later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on 7 April 2017[11] and was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister on 12 April 2017 in the cabinet led by Manohar Parrikar.[1] He was allotted the Health portfolio[12] on 18 April 2017.[13] In 2022, Rane won the assembly election on BJP ticket from Poriem. He made national headlines during his alleged involvement in the Rafale Aircraft controversy when a recording was leaked of a close aide of Rane and Manohar Parrikar in which Manohar Parrikar had stated that the Rafale scam files were in his bedroom.Rahul Gandhi tried to play the recording in the Lok Sabha ,but wasn't allowed to .[14]

Early and personal life

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Vishwajit Rane was born in Mumbai to veteran politician Pratapsingh Raoji Rane and his wife Vijayadevi Rane. He did his schooling in Panaji's People's High School.[15] Vishwajit graduated from the Goa University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and obtained a postgraduate diploma in Management Studies from the T. A. Pai Management Institute at Manipal.[16] He represented Goa State in badminton.[5]

Vishwajit is married to Dr.[16] Divya Timblo.[17]

Political career

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Rane started his political career as a member of the Indian National Congress and also used the platform of his organisation named Sattari Yuva Morcha. In 2016, the organisation submitted an application to the Election Commission of India to be registered as a political party[18][19] but Rane maintained that he had no role in the same.[20] He established the Sattari Yuva Morcha and served as its President.[5] He was also the Chairman of the Government of Goa's Goa Tourism Development Corporation.[21] Rane was the General Secretary of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee.[22]

2007 Assembly elections

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Rane contested the 2007 Goa Legislative Assembly elections as an independent candidate. The Indian National Congress then had decided that it would not allot its candidature to more than one person from the same family. As a result, Pratapsingh Rane successfully contested as the Indian National Congress candidate in the 2007 Goa Legislative Assembly elections from the Poriem constituency while Vishwajit successfully contested as an independent from the neighbouring Valpoi constituency after resigning as the General Secretary of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee and also from the party's primary membership.[22][23]

Health, Agriculture & Craftsmen Training Minister

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After the 2007 Legislative Goa Assembly elections, the Indian National Congress party led by Digambar Kamat formed a coalition government in Goa.[24] Vishwajit was inducted as a Cabinet Minister in the Government led by Kamat. He was allocated the portfolios of Health, Agriculture & Craftsmen Training.[5]

On 24 June 2010, Rane resigned as the independent MLA and also as a Cabinet Minister, to contest a by-election from Valpoi constituency as an Indian National Congress candidate. He joined the Indian National Congress[25] and was sworn in again as the Cabinet Minister the same day.[6] Rane successfully retained the Valpoi constituency in the by-election.[26]

During his tenure as a Cabinet Minister, Vishwajit Rane expanded his influence in the Sattari and Bicholim talukas of Goa.[27] After the demise of the Gurudas Gawas[28] who was the Indian National Congress legislator from Pale constituency, Vishwajit played a key role in the election of the former's brother Pratap Gauns from the constituency in a bye-election.[29] He also ensured the victory of several candidates backed by him.[27]

2012 Assembly elections

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In the 2012 Goa Legislative Assembly elections, Vishwajit emerged victorious from Valpoi constituency as a candidate of the Indian National Congress.[30]

2017 Assembly elections and resignation from the Indian National Congress

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Vishwajit Rane retained his Valpoi constituency as a candidate of the Indian National Congress in the 2017 Goa Legislative Assembly elections.[31] But after the Indian National Congress could not form the government despite securing 17 seats in the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly, Vishwajit Rane blamed the party leadership.[32] He also wrote to Rahul Gandhi, the Vice President of the Indian National Congress, complaining about the indecisiveness of the party leaders like Digvijaya Singh (who was the Goa desk in-charge of the party)[33] and threatening to resign from the party if no heed was paid to his grievances.[34][35] While Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar proved his majority on the floor of the house on 16 March 2017, Vishwajit Rane remained absent[36] during the voting in protest of the leaders of the Indian National Congress.[37]

The same day, he resigned from the membership of the Indian National Congress and also as the MLA of Valpoi Constituency.[34] On 7 April 2017, Rane joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and announced that he would contest a bye-election in the Valpoi Constituency as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.[38]

Cabinet Minister in the Manohar Parrikar-led government

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Vishwajit Rane was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister on 12 April 2017 in the cabinet led by Manohar Parrikar.[1] He was allotted the portfolio of Health.[13][39] As the Health Minister in the third Manohar Parrikar Ministry, Rane took the decision of charging nominal fees in the Goa Medical College, Hospicio Hospital and the Asilo Hospital for the patients who are not residents of the state of Goa since 1 January 2018.[40][41][42][43][44]

2022 Goa Legislative Assembly Election

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Vishwajit Rane retained his Valpoi constituency as a candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly elections. Deviya Rane his spouse also won the Porem Constituency election on the Bharatiya Janata Party ticket. Vishwajit and Deviya Rane are now spousal couples in Goa Legislative Assembly. The other spousal couples are Atanasio Monserrate and Jennifer Monserrate, and Micheal Lobo and Delilah Lobo.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Goa: Parrikar inducts two former Congressmen as cabinet ministers | india-news". Hindustan Times. 12 April 2017. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Herald: Vishwajit, Mauvin get ministerial berths". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Community Health Centres: Health minister against outsourcing operation theatres to private parties | Goa News". Times of India. 3 May 2017. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Rane accuses D'Souza of mis-managing GMC". Times of India. 26 July 2016. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ a b "Goa minister quits post, House, before getting into cabinet again | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dnaindia.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Herald: Vishwajit Rane, wife summoned in Aires case". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  8. ^ "GREEDY GOLD FINGERS OF GOA". Goan Observer. 10 December 2016. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  9. ^ "Resignation Of Shri Vishw Ajit Prat Apsingh Rane, Member Of Goa Legislative Assembly From His Seat In The House" (PDF). Legislative Assembly Of The State Of Goa. 16 March 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  10. ^ "MLA Vishwajit Rane: First day, first show: Congress MLA Vishwajit Rane resigns | Goa News". Times of India. 17 March 2017. Archived from the original on 23 July 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  11. ^ "If need arises will campaign against my father, says Vishwajit Rane after joining BJP | india-news". Hindustan Times. 6 April 2017. Archived from the original on 27 July 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  12. ^ "Government Notification No.1/7/2017-GAD-II/823 dated 20/03/2017, published in the Official Gazette, Extraordinary No.3, Series II No.SO, dated 20th March, 2017" (PDF). General Administration Department, Government of Goa. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  13. ^ a b "MGP MLAs score meatier portfolios | Goa News". Times of India. 19 April 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
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  16. ^ a b "Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane(Indian National Congress(INC)):Constituency- VALPOI(NORTH GOA) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". myneta.info. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
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  20. ^ "Rane's 'yuvas' apply for party status | Goa News". Times of India. 19 November 2016. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  21. ^ "www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=497". goanews.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  22. ^ a b "Row over ticket leaves Congress with no candidate in Taleigao - KARNATAKA". The Hindu. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  23. ^ Pawar, Mayuresh (June 2007). "Goa politics, a family affair". Business Standard India. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  24. ^ "Kamat sworn in Goa Chief Minister - NATIONAL". The Hindu. 8 June 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  25. ^ "Another tainted Goa politician joins Congress". Sify. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  26. ^ "Goa: Congress wins Valpoi bypoll : West, News". India Today. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  27. ^ a b "www.goanews.com/blogs_disp.php?bpid=77". goanews.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  28. ^ "Congress MLA Gurudas Gawas passes away". outlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  29. ^ "Rebel BJP leader files papers as independent in Goa | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dnaindia.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  30. ^ "Goa Assembly Election Results in 2012". elections.in. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  31. ^ "Goa Election results 2017: Congress wins majority after a neck-and-neck battle with BJP : Goa Assembly Election 2017, News". India Today. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  32. ^ "Goa: Vishwajit Rane quits Congress, says party leadership at fault". The Indian Express. 16 March 2017. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  33. ^ "Goa CM Manohar Parrikar takes dig at Digvijaya Singh after floor test". Livemint. 16 March 2017. Archived from the original on 21 July 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  34. ^ a b "Herald: Vishwajit Rane quits Congress". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  35. ^ Surabhi Shaurya. "Goa Congress MLA Vishwajit Rane writes to Rahul Gandhi over 'mismanagement', threatens to quit if he gets no response". India.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  36. ^ Kamat, Prakash (16 March 2017). "Manohar Parrikar wins trust vote". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  37. ^ Kamat, Prakash (16 March 2017). "Vishwajit Rane quits as Congress MLA, decides to support Parrikar". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  38. ^ "Ex-Congress Goa legislator Vishwajit Rane joins BJP". Livemint. 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 22 July 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  39. ^ "Herald: Vishwajit gets Health, Mauvin Panchayats". heraldgoa.in. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  40. ^ "Herald: Separate queue system starts at GMC". Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  41. ^ "Maintenance Mode". Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  42. ^ "Fee system for outstation patients comes into effect at GMC, 24 admitted on first day - the Navhind Times". Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  43. ^ Times, Navhind (16 January 2018). "Fees collected from GMC's outstation patients to run into Rs 30 lakh | The Navhind Times".
  44. ^ "GMC: GMC hopes to earn 1 crore per month | Goa News - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.