Report and pic from daijiworld's special correspondent (MB)

Panaji, May 23: Braving  scorching sun and thirsty afternoon, a huge group of voters assembled in a hall in Pale constituency in response to a clarion call given by their favourite politician Vishwajeet Pratapsingh Rane.

After being refused ticket by Congress party, Vishwajeet, son of Goa chief minister Pratapsingh Rane, is fighting the contest as an independent in Valpoi constituency. But the son of the CM has assured the Congress to help the organization in four constituencies outside Valpoi.

"Baba'',  as he is popularly known in villages of Sattari and Bicholim constituency, Vishwajeet, who was termed as a Congress rebel, is seen in the Congress campaigning. "I am contesting as an independent and it is a mere adjustment..... I am a Congressman and will be with Congress even after elections," Vishwajeet said addressing a rally in Navelim village in Pale constituency.

Here, Vishwajeet had come to support his friend and Congress candidate Gurudas Gauns who is pitched against BJP's former minister Dr Suresh Amonkar.

Vishwajeet was denied ticket by high command on the basis of the accepted Congress policy of not giving two tickets to the same family. The chief minister is contesting from his traditional Poriem constituency.

"My identity as a son of chief minister is enough for me... I don't need a party symbol to contest election in Valpoi," Vishwajeet said.  Interestingly, in a major emberrassment to the official Congress candidate, who had filed his nomination against Vishwajeet, withdrew at the last minute, making Vishwajeet unofficial Congress candidate.

Vishwajeet, who is contesting on aeroplane symbol, from remote Valpoi constituency said that his loyalty still remains with Congress. "I don't know why Congress candidate withdrew. You ask him... Maybe he is supporting me," Junior Rane, who has been accused of hijacking Congress in Valpoi constituency, stated.

"I will support the Pratapsingh Singh Rane led coalition government after elections," Vishwajeet said  pointing out that his father is the only loyal Congressman in the party. "You check record of rest of the people... they have defected at least once," he said.

While Vishwajeet is seen on Congress platform publicly, the Congress party officials have refused to comment on son of their chief minister. Right from day one, the party has avoided comments on Vishwajeet's resignation and subsequent happenings.

"Vishwajeet is a major factor in Valpoi and Sattari taluka which has five constituencies..... The party cannot ignore him," Gurudas Gauns, Congress candidate, said.

As the June two deadline draws near, theCleaders have began sharing dais with Vishwajeet which clearly indicates their consent to Jr Rane's candidature.

"Why should Vishwajeet not work for Cwhen his father is a diehard Congressman?," an aged voter gathered at Navelim rally questioned.