Q. What is the reason behind you suddenly quitting the party?

I was not interested in continuing with such a party which is full of people who had made mockery of the mandate given by people to us. It took so much time for the party to decide just the Congress Legislature party leader. Digvijaya Singh who had come from Delhi was just passing time. We lost an opportunity to form the government. I didn’t want my constituency to suffer by sitting in the Opposition.

Q. You have been openly blaming Digvijaya Singh.

True. He is responsible for all the mess. He was not interested in forming the government. I doubt whether he really wanted to form the government or he was working at the behest of someone. We were given the mandate by the people. The mandate was anti-BJP, but still despite having numbers we could not form the government. I did not want to continue in the party.

Q.  But why did you remained absent on the floor of the House during voting?

 I did not want to support Congress. The Congress does not deserve my vote.

Q.  But that means you supported the trust motion by remaining absent.

I have not supported anyone. I came to the House to take the oath and then resigned as MLA. I also resigned from the party. I want to go back to my voters. I will get re-elected from my constituency.

Q.  Which party do you want to contest from?

I have not decided anything. I will be going back to the voters. I will be holding meetings with them. I am open for all options including fighting on BJP ticket. Once I am elected I will support the Parrikar-led alliance.

Q.  What about your differences with Parrikar?

Parrikar is the Chief Minister of the state now. We see a good future under his leadership. The state will progress. I don’t want my constituency and Sattari in general to remain behind in the process of development. In the last five years we have suffered, being in the opposition.

Q.  It seems you were having coffee with Parrikar when CLP was electing its leader.

I had read tweets by Digvijaya Singh. Does he have any proof of what he has written? Let him say anything. Let him continue tweeting against me. The truth is that I have not met Parrikar even now. I did not even had time to call and wish him for becoming the Chief Minister.

Q.  It seems your father, Pratapsing Rane, will also quit the party to become Governor. 

These are just rumours. I have put up a post on Facebook and clarified. Senior Rane is not going anywhere. He is a loyal Congressman and he will remain in the party. Whatever decision I have taken is through my personal capability.

Q.  What was your father’s reaction when you resigned from Congress?

I did not inform him. He didn’t. He was upset. But I took the decision in favour of my voters. People of Sattari have faith in  my family for their welfare. I can’t let them down.

Q.  Do you feel that you would be comfortable with Vijai Sardesai and Rohan Khaunte if you are inducted in the Parrikar-led government?

Development of the State is most important for me. Moreover, I am more concerned about my constituency. I want my constituency to be developed. I feel this government can perform.

Q.  How sure are you to get elected from Valpoi again?

I polled 70 per cent of votes during the recent election. Do you have any doubt about me getting re-elected from Valpoi? People are with me. They know that I will never let them down.

Q.  You were always against Congress. Even before the election you had said I will concentrate only in Valpoi and Poriem.

I have my physical limitations. I wanted to concentrate only in Sattari taluka.

Q.  But generally there is an impression that you have a hold over five constituencies.

I have a hold. But I am also a human being. I can’t concentrate everywhere. In Mayem, I tried to get Pravin Zantye a ticket. He contested on BJP and won. I am happy for him as he is my close friend. We thought Santosh Sawant would give a tough fight. If Congress had to given Pravin a ticket in Mayem, their tally would have gone up to 18.