‘Uddhav’s apology out of political compulsion’: Rane

Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Narayan Rane said the Shiv Sena never favoured reservation for Marathas

Slamming the Shiv Sena over a cartoon in its mouthpiece Saamana, which mocked the Maratha agitation, senior Congress leader and former chief minister Narayan Rane said Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s apology to the community was out of helplessness and political compulsion.

Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane interacts with the media at Gandhi Bhavan, Nariman Point, on Monday. (Kunal Patil/HT photo)

Getting flak from all quarters, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray tendered the apology on Saturday, a day after the cartoonist apologized for hurting the sentiments of the community

Rane said the Shiv Sena never favoured reservation for Marathas. “It was only after the Sena realized that the row could cost it dear and hamper the party’s prospects in the upcoming elections badly that it tendered an apology. Ironically, Saamana’s executive editor Sanjay Raut apologised a day after the editor and party chief Uddhav said sorry to the community,” said Rane.

Rane also slammed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for his opposition to the reservation. Raj said reservation should be given only to economically backward classes. Rane said Raj and his party have lost significance and his views should not be taken seriously.

He also criticized the state government for imposing prohibitory orders in Aurangabad, as a precautionary measure ahead of the state cabinet meet on Tuesday. “Why is the government so worried about protests by farmers and the Maratha community? The farmers in Marathwada are distressed because of the deluge. The government should now announce loan waiver,” he said.