‘Spurned’ Narayan Rane floats own party

Mumbai: Former chief minister Narayan Rane, who recently quit the Congress, launched his own party, the Maharashtra Swabhimaan Paksh, in Mumbai on Sunday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was not keen to induct Mr Rane into their ranks, leaving him with no other option but to go solo.

But there are indications that he may join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and then gain entry into chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s Cabinet.

Mr Rane and his son Nilesh Rane, a former Lok Sabha MP, held a press conference in the city where he announced the name of his party. His soft corner for the BJP was clearly visible during the press conference, where he avoided attacking the BJP, but had no qualms in slamming the Shiv Sena. “Sena keeps opposing everything. What else has this party done?” he asked. He stated that his party would offer support on the basis of development and not keep opposing everything. When asked if he would join the NDA, he said: “Let them invite me. I will go.” But he ducked the question on the ministry promised to him by the BJP.

It is believed that Mr Shah suggested that the former Congress leader form his party and join the Maharashtra government. Earlier, Mr Rane had claimed that 27 Shiv Sena MLAs and a few from the Congress were in touch with him. But on Sunday, no MLA of MP was seen with him on stage.

Even his son and Congress MLA Nitesh Rane kept himself out from press conference area to avoid any action by the Congress party.