The Congress high command did not keep its word of making me the chief minister in the last nine years, said state industries minister Narayan Rane in Konkan, who has decided to quit Prithviraj Chavan's cabinet on Monday.
Rane is on a Konkan tour for the last two days. Speaking at the Congress committee workers and leaders meeting in Kankavali, he said the high command had promised him the CM's post when he was inducted in the party. "I want to do many things in future. However, they can't be done without your support and cooperation," the former Shiv Sainik reiterated.
Sources said the industries minister is upset with Chavan. "Rane feels Chavan didn't take his demands and suggestions seriously. Three months before this year's Lok Sabha elections, Rane had requested Chavan to change the superintendent of police of Sindhudurg because, as Sindhudurg's guardian minister, Rane had received several complaints against the SP. But Chavan ignored the request," said a source.
"Besides, Ranesaheb wanted the Maratha reservation decision approved before the assembly budget session so that it could be okayed in assembly making it permanent. Now, the ordinance will have only a year's validity."
Rane also said he will declare the next course of his action on Monday. "I am unhappy with my son Nilesh's humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha election. Don't get allured by Shiv Sena's empty promises and offers. Nothing is in Sena now. It is empty godown," he added.
On the other hand, Congress leaders decided to downplay Rane's quitting. "We don't want a mass leader like Rane to leave... If he feels he has been insulted by the CM, he can continue his fight against him by remaining in the party too," said a senior MPCC leader.
Rane's options
The industries minister can join BJP because the party wants a mass leader like Rane if it wants to contest the state assembly polls without Sena's support. This decision may upset Sena so BJP can leave the party and align with MNS. Another option is to convert his son Nitesh's NGO Swabhiman Sanghatana into a political outfit
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