Narayan Rane blames Shiv Sena for allegations against Nitesh

In opposition's crosshairs over an alleged firing incident involving his son, Maharashtra revenue minister Narayan Rane tonight claimed that the Shiv Sena was behind the "smear campaign" of Nitesh.

"The entire episode has been started by the Shiv Sena for tarnishing Nitesh's name in the eyes of the Mumbaikars," Rane told reporters at a press conference in Mumbai while reacting to the allegation levelled by Chintu Sheikh, an office bearer of Swabhiman Sanghatana, the NGO run by Nitesh.

Shaikh, vice-president of Swabhiman Sanghatana's transport wing, had lodged a complaint with police alleging that Nitesh attempted to kill him by firing at him when he had gone to his office in suburban Khar yesterday afternoon.

"Nitesh has spent far too much time and effort in giving back to the society and better lives on hard-hitting issues like water and water-mafia in the past," the minister said.

Nitesh will not be bogged down with such false claims and will continue to serve the common man, he said.