Pushed into a corner, the revenue minister Narayan Rane has started chanting the name of Congress president Sonia Gandhi hoping it would help him return to the centrestage in the organisation.
Pushed into a corner, the revenue minister Narayan Rane has started chanting the name of Congress president Sonia Gandhi hoping it would help him return to the centrestage in the organisation.
On Tuesday, Rane asserted that he reckons the leadership of Gandhi and he will abide by whatever decision she takes on his behalf. He also made it explicitly clear that unless called by the top leadership he would not visit the capital on his own.
“I will not go to Delhi unless the top leadership of the party calls me,” Rane said, “I have already tendered my resignation as revenue minister and it is for the leadership to decide the future course of action.”
Rane’s statement comes a day after chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh returned from the capital after meeting party president Sonia Gandhi, AICC general secretary Ahmed Patel, union defence minister AK Anthony and external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee.
AICC general secretary in charge of Maharashtra, Margaret Alva, said, “I am hopeful things will be resolved by August 15.”
According to an AICC functionary, the supporters of Deshmukh has impressed upon the AICC leadership that it will become very difficult for Deshmukh to function with Rane in the cabinet.
As confrontation on policy matters in the election year does not augur well for the image of the government. On the other hand, Alva is working hard to ensure Rane retains his cabinet portfolio as well get an additional role in the MPCC on the campaign committee.
Union petroleum minister Murli Deora and former Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) president Gurudas Kadam appear to be supporting Deshmukh in his war against Rane at the Centre.
The AICC core committee which will have to take a final decision are gauging the overall mood to ascertain the political ramifications in the state following the handing over of CIDCO land to Videocon project.
Deshmukh has started discussions with political forum who are threatening street battle against government on Videocon deal.
k_shubhangi@dnaindia.net
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