The Hindu : National : Narayan Rane in patch-up mood

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National

Narayan Rane in patch-up mood

Meena Menon

Mumbai: Suspended Congressman Narayan Rane, who was to have made an important announcement on Tuesday regarding his future plans, met Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan here on Monday in what is perceived to be a patch-up bid.

Mr. Rane told The Hindu that it was an ordinary meeting with Mr. Chavan and did not disclose the details. The former Revenue Minister said he had nothing to say about his plans and would make an announcement at the appropriate time. However, sources in the Congress said some reconciliation was expected to take place and Mr. Rane was going to be mollified with a post.

Programme cancelled

His close associates said Mr. Rane was likely to leave for New Delhi on Tuesday morning and meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi. He has also cancelled a programme at the Kolhapur press club scheduled for Tuesday.

Last week Mr. Rane renewed his attack on the Congress and said he would spell out his plans on January 6. Apart from targeting the former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Mr. Rane also hit out against Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Manikrao Thakre.

Mr. Rane, who left the Shiv Sena to join the Congress in 2005, has had a turbulent tenure in the party. He did manage to get himself and five other MLAs from the Sena elected to the Congress, raising its tally in the Assembly from 69 to 75, making it the single largest party.

For a change

However, Mr. Rane set his sights on the State leadership and has been gunning for a change. Things came to a head when Mr. Deshmukh had to resign and Mr. Chavan was elected new Chief Minister.

Mr. Rane claimed that he had majority support of the legislators and alleged that he was denied the top post due to machinations by some top leaders in the party and Mr. Deshmukh.

He made direct accusations against Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Ms. Gandhi.

Mr. Rane now faces an uncertain future. It was expected that he would announce a new party. However, there seems to be some last minute move at compromise within the party.

The Congress is also wary of losing Mr. Rane who is a strongman from the Konkan region.

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