Narayan Rane on delay in Maha cabinet berth: Don’t test my patience

Rane, who quit Congress in September 2016, has been kept waiting by the BJP for his induction into state cabinet

Unhappy about the delay over his induction into the state cabinet, former chief minister Narayan Rane gave an ultimatum to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Friday, saying his patience should not be tested. Rane had earlier said he is not the one who will wait for too long. He also announced his opposition to a proposed refinery by the Centre in Ratnagiri.

Narayan Rane floated his own political outfit, Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh, and joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after he was assured of a cabinet berth. (HT File)

Rane, who quit Congress after falling out with the leadership in September last year, has been kept waiting by the BJP leadership for his induction into the cabinet. Rane even floated his own political outfit, Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh, and joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after he was assured of a cabinet berth.

Addressing a press conference, Rane said the decision should be taken (by chief minister Fadnavis) before he runs out of patience. “I am meeting Fadnavisji tonight to register my opposition to the refinery and petrochemical project at Nanar in Ratnagiri district. A few more subjects will discussed as well,” he said.

Rane slammed Shiv Sena and party chief Uddhav Thackeray for their ‘double standards’ and alleged that the party was threatening the locals opposing the project.

“On one hand, Thackeray is opposing the project in public, on the other hand, he is threatening those opposing land acquisition for it. This happened during a recent meet at Matoshree, where he met the local residents,” he said.

Rane was accompanied by Vinay Walam, son of Ashok Walam, Konkan Vinashkari Prakalp Virodhi Samiti (KVPVS), who alleged that his father was ill treated by the police and district administration while protesting against the project a few weeks ago. Walam also alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to kill his father when he was admitted to a private hospital in Ratnagiri.

“When the KVPVS office-bearers met Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree, first he was made to apologise for using harsh language against him. Then he was warned to not oppose the project and the land acquisition,” Walam said.

Rane further alleged that most of the land notified for the project was purchased by Shiv Sena leaders and local officers before the notification was issued.

Countering Rane’s allegations, Vinayak Raut, Shiv Sena MP from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, said, “It is Rane’s last ditch attempt to get into the cabinet by opposing the project. It is strange that the Jaitapur power project, which is much more harmful ecologically was promoted by Rane when he was in the government.But now he against the refinery.”