Rane says sorry, pardoned

The Congress party has revoked suspension of rebel leader Narayan Rane because he has regretted anti-party conduct. Dharmendra Jore reports.

The Congress party has revoked suspension of rebel leader Narayan Rane because he has regretted anti-party conduct.

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The move is expected to enhance the Congress ahead of general elections as Rane holds considerable clout in several regions of the state.

In December, the party took disciplinary action against ex-revenue minister after he made allegations that senior leaders hatched a conspiracy to deny him Chief Minister's post that fell vacant following Vilasrao Deshmukh’s removal in the wake of the 26/11 terror attacks.

When Ashok Chavan replaced Deshmukh, Rane said that he did not trust party president Sonia Gandhi, who, he claimed had promised him CM's post when he had split the Shiv Sena to join the Congress some four years ago. He threatened to split the Congress.

The suspension drama ended on Monday when Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan officially announced in New Delhi that the party has pardoned Rane and taken him back in its fold with immediate effect.

A mellowed Rane told reporters that he had expressing his regrets for what he had done in the past. “In a letter to the high command, I regretted my comments that I had made in a fit of anger (after Chavan was made CM). I will accept any responsibility that is given by Soniaji."

Meanwhile, Chavan has said Rane's comeback would help the Congress in forthcoming elections.