Goa’s longest serving MLA Pratapsingh Raoji Rane who has never lost an election turns 82 today. I recollect meeting him for the first time in 1972 when he was Minister for Law and Local self government in the MGP government headed by then Chief Minister Shashikala Kakodkar. I was just 12 and had gone to see Mr. Rane at the Secretariat in Panjim on an issue pertaining to Ribandar. He issued prompt directions.
>From 1980 Pratapsingh Rane held the office of Chief Minister several times while his government faced various agitations in which I participated. In 1986 during that Konkani agitation he ordered my detention under the National Security Act on the eve of Christmas but with the intervention of the High Court I was free before New Year’s Eve. Regardless of our differences on various issues we have always maintained a very cordial relationship. >From Minister to Chief Minister. From Speaker to Leader of Opposition and now MLA, the always gentleman Pratapsingh Rane has seen it all. Warm birthday greetings to you Sir. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com