I learnt governance from leader of opposition, Pratapsinh Rane: Manohar Parsekar

In a candid admission, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday said he has learnt the art of governance from veteran Congress politician and opposition leader Pratapsinh Rane.

"I have learnt how to govern from the Leader of Opposition, Pratapsinh Rane. He has the longest term in the state Legislative Assembly. Rane may be in opposition, but we have a lot to learn from him," Parsekar told the Legislative Assembly during a debate on the state budget. Rane has served as chief minister of Goa for six terms.

Taking a veiled dig at Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai, who criticised him over Goa's financial condition, Parsekar said, "Some of the newly-elected, first timer MLAs try to corner the government on issues like finance without knowing the subject properly." "I didn't understand the subject of finance during my first three terms (as MLA). I understand the subject better now, as I am handling the Finance portfolio," he added.

On Congress' charge that the BJP government has been promoting offshore casinos, he said the Opposition was trying to "defame" the BJP-led dispensation on the issue on the floor of the House. "The BJP during its tenure as opposition party had opposed offshore casino vessels due to which then Congress-led government had to stop giving more licences for such vessels (offshore casinos). We did not given any new licences to the offshore casino vessels. When we took over the reigns, there were total 14 onshore casinos, which have been reduced to nine due to our stringent policies," the CM said.