If Rane joins BJP then it will strengthen the party in Konkan which is known as his stronghold.
Speculations are rife in political circles that senior Congress leader Narayan Rane may join BJP during the monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislative assembly. According to sources close to Rane, he is likely to be offered Home ministry. If Rane joins BJP then it will strengthen the party in Konkan which is known as his stronghold. Shiv Senas base in Konkan had weakened after Ranes exist from the party in 2005. He was keen to join Sena few months back but the party leadership gave him a cold shoulder.
Rane has been criticising the senior Congress leadership after he was denied plum post by the party. He is irked with the party for sidelining him. The Rane family has been going through a tough phase of late as his son Nilesh Rane had lost Lok Sabha polls and while Rane himself had to face defeat in the Maharashtra assembly election. Rane was feeling sidelined within the Congress party after Ashok Chavans elevation to the post of MPCC president. He had failed to revive the sagging fortunes of the Congress while campaigning for the party. He was a minister in successive Congress governments till 2014. However, Rane was unhappy as he had not been offered the post of chief minister.
A leader who recently switched from Congress to BJP spoke to AV on the condition of anonymity and said, I cant make any comment about Ranes entry into BJP as I am not authorised to speak on this matter. Opposition party leadership will take an appropriate decision in this regard.
Earlier too there were media reports about Rane shifting loyalties towards BJP but he refuted speculations about him joining the saffron party. Television channels had aired footage of Rane and Fadnavis seated in the same vehicle which was headed towards BJP President Amit Shahs residence in Ahmedabad. He had held a meeting with Shah and Fadnavis to discuss about the political situation prevailing in the state.
The first hint about Rane joining BJP was dropped by Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil. He had said that Rane is a likeable personality and all party members would support him. Patil nonetheless added that a decision in this regard would be taken by senior leadership. On the other hand, BJP is adopting a cautious approach before inducting Rane into the party.
