Rane's nomination is being termed as a calculated move by the Congress in a bid to "corner and expose the two-year-old BJP-Shiv Sena government".
The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has decided to nominate senior leader P Chidambaram for the Rajya Sabha and former CM Narayan Rane for the state legislative council.
Rane's nomination is being termed as a calculated move by the Congress in a bid to "corner and expose the two-year-old BJP-Shiv Sena government".
"I am happy that the Congress has nominated me for the legislative council. I will use this opportunity to expose the government. I intend to criticise all the wrong and anti-farmer policies of the state," Rane told dna on Saturday.
MPCC spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the party is hopeful that Rane would reemerge the firebrand that he was and be a strong voice of the Opposition in the Upper House.
"The Upper House is dominated by the NCP. The Congress was missing a powerful presence. Now, Rane will fill this void. His sting was quite popular in the 2000-05 period. We expect the same from him against the BJP-Sena government," said a senior leader on condition of anonymity.
Rane's political career has witnessed a roller-coaster ride in recent times. After losing the state assembly election against the Sena candidate, he was forced into to go in political exile in a way. However, he later contested the by-election from Bandra (east). Here too he lost, by more than 20,000 votes, against late Sena MLA Bala Sawant's wife.
"Now, the opportunity of going to the Upper House will rejuvenate Rane's political career. He is known for his studious nature and raising issues based on proper facts and figures. The upcoming monsoon session will be quite stormy," said a political observer.
"The Congress is gaining ground slowly, it's been proven in the recent local body elections. Just a strong force was missing in the assembly and council. Rane will fill the space. He is very well capable of giving sleepless nights to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his government in the coming days."
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