Rahul Gandhi tries to placate Narayan Rane

The Congress high command on Thursday stepped in to salvage its Maharashtra unit, by assuring the rebellious leader and former chief minister Narayan Rane that his grievances would be taken care of.

Rane met party vice-president Rahul Gandhi to explain his stand. Rahul suggested that Congress president Sonia Gandhi will take a final call in a few days in a meeting, sources said. This will be attended by the chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, PCC chief Manikrao Thakare Rao and Rane.

Congress sources further said that Rane was plainly told there was difficulty in changing the chief minister since elections are round the corner. But they were confident that Sonia will sort out the issues raised by him.

Rane flew back to Mumbai in the evening as his efforts to have a meeting with Sonia did not fructify. He was told that she will take a call in a day or two to call a meeting of all players.

Rane is believed to have conveyed the "humiliation" that forced him to resign from the government of Chavan. When Rane left the Sena and joined the Congress in 2005, he was promised chief ministership in six months.

Rahul reportedly tried to explain that the high drama with which he resigned will only damage the party in the elections, but Rane retorted that the Congress will get only very few seats under the leadership of Chavan.

Sources said Rahul did not respond to Rane's plea to give him at least some key position in the election team to reflect his importance, if not declaring him as the CM candidate.