All political parties should make their stand clear on that State sponsored lifetime cabinet status malafiedly bestowed on Pratapsingh Rane. Their silence on this serious issue is deafening. It is time to flush out the truth and ensure the Government and Pratapsingh Rane come clean over this sleazy gesture.
This lifetime cabinet status is clearly a crafty quid pro quo gifted by this government for Pratapsingh Rane having agreed to walk away from the political turf and tacitly bless the BJP.
A very senior politician that he is, Pratapsingh Rane would have been remembered for the right reasons if he had spurned that offer and resisted the temptation of enjoying cabinet status for the rest of his life at the cost of taxpayer’s more so with the State exchequer being in dire straits.
Pratapsingh Rane could have displayed Statesmanship by not succumbing to this glut for Power. It is now very clear that Pratapsingh Rane might have officially been in the Congress, but his mind, heart and soul was elsewhere. Instead of enjoying a peaceful and contented retirement, Pratapsingh Rane has sullied his image by proving that he cannot live without government sponsored power and perks.
It is very unfortunate to have to drag the 83 year-old former Chief Minister to Court, but would have failed in my bounden duty by being a mere spectator to this unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful lifetime cabinet status. Had to move the High Court successfully in 2007 when similarly those Parliamentary secretaries with cabinet status were appointed unlawfully.
