Tuesday, June 7 2005 14:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Panaji: Veteran Congress leader Pratapsinh Rane was today (Jun 7, 2005) sworn in as Chief Minister of Goa by Governor S C Jamir, ending three-month old President's rule imposed in March after political crisis.

Rane was administered oath of office and secrecy at a ceremony at Raj Bhavan attended by both Congress and Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Wilfred D'souza and lone Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) MLA Ramakrishna Dhavalikar were also appointed as Ministers in the Cabinet.

When asked if he had been appointed as Rane's deputy, D'souza said, "I think so."

He also stressed that his other MLA in the house, Mikky Pacheco also "had to be accommodated" in the Cabinet, inspite of the fact that Congress has been non-committal on this issue.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Goa incharge Margaret Alva, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Ravi Naik, former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and all BJP MLA's attended the ceremony.

Rane belonged to one of Goa's most well respected families and represented Poryem seat in the Assembly. He has been Chief Minister from 1980 to 1985, 1985 to 1989 then again for three months in 1990 when he was toppled by Churchill Alemao, signalling a start to the defection era in Goan politics.

Although he became Chief Minister again after the general elections in 1994, he was toppled again by his deputy Wilfred D'souza, a man who is now tipped for the same post again.