Rane, Willy, Sudin
sworn in
Sandesh Prabhudesai
7 June 2005
Congress leader Pratapsing Rane was sworn in as the chief
minister of Goa today morning, after revoking the proclamation
of the three-month old President’s rule.
Along with him, Governor S C Jamir also administered oath
of secrecy to Nationalist Congress Party leader Dr Wilfred
de Souza and Sudin Dhawalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak
Party.
De Souza will be the deputy chief minister in the Congress-led
alliance government.
Former chief minister Manohar Parrikar and his BJP colleagues,
besides other Congress leaders, also attended the swearing
in ceremony, held at the Raj Bhavan.
Rane later told journalists that he would shortly expand
the cabinet.
In a 39-member Assembly, Rane enjoys support of 21 members,
including 18 from the Congress, two from the NCP and one MGP
person.
The Congress strength increased from 15 as the recently held
by-elections made three Congressmen victorious while the BJP
could win only one seat.
These three Congressmen – Digambar Kamat, Babush Monserette
and Pandurang Madkaikar – had quit the BJP in February,
thereby toppling the four-year old Parrikar government.
Isidore Fernandes, another Congressman who had quit the BJP
along with them, however could not win the polls.
Rane is taking over sixth time as the chief minister. The
66-year old veteran politician was first elected the Congress
chief minister in 1980 and ruled Goa for 10 years undisputedly.
However, he was toppled within 75 days when he took over
the reins for the third time in 1990. That had also started
the infamous defection era in Goa.
He was once again made the chief minister in 1994, but was
toppled once again by his then deputy Dr de Souza within three
and a half years.
He got the fifth opportunity in February this year, when
Parrikar government was toppled. However, he could not prove
his majority on the floor of the House and his era came to
an end within one month.
Goa was then brought under the brief spell of the President’s
rule.
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