The crisis in the Goa Congress is escalating. After the party failed to stake claim to form government in Goa, despite emerging as the single largest party in the 40-member assembly, Vishwajit Rane, the party's Valpoi MLA and son of former Goa chief minister Pratapsingh Rane, quit the party in a huff.

Upended by Manohar Parrikar and the BJP's alacrity, the Congress failed to form a government in the state. Speaking to Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore on the phone from Goa, Pratapsingh Rane said he would fight against the high-handedness of his rivals in staking claim and forming the government in the state.

When asked if he too was resigning from his constituency Poriem, the former chief minister shot back, Remember this: I do not wish to resign. If I have to resign I will call a press conference. I am not going to resign. I have no cause to resign. I will fight it out.

He refused to answer why his son resigned from the Congress as well as from his seat.

You ask him, he said.

Attempts to reach Vishwajit Rane failed.