Narayan Rane’s outfit to merge with BJP
KANKAVLI (SINDHUDURG): “We are fully supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party. Only the BJP will be in power in the state,” former Maharashtra chief minister, Narayan Rane, 67, told the Hindustan Times a day before his political outfit is expected to merge with the BJP on Tuesday.
Two years after he broke away from the Congress to form the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha, Rane will merge it with the BJP in the presence of chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, in Kankavli, Sindhudurg. Rane, who quit the Congress in Septem“Though ber 2017, was made a BJP Rajya Sabha member last year, but did not formally join the party owing to stiff opposition from the Shiv Sena — of which he was part till 2005. The BJP, which is in alliance with the Sena for the polls, has wanted to increase its footprint in here — a bastion of its ally.
the Kankavli seat comes in the BJP quota, we had indicated to them [the BJP] that they should not give the ticket to Rane. Just by changing the party symbol, the person will not change. He [Narayan Rane] is using the BJP symbol for his gain and convenience. Shiv Sena has fought against them for years and we cannot compromise with it. We will win all three seats in Sindhudurg. The chief minister should have avoided campaigning for Rane,” said Subhash Desai, a senior Sena leader.
Despite the Sena’s objection, Fadnavis will address a campaign rally for Nitesh Rane, Rane’s son and sitting MLA of Kankavli, on Tuesday.
“Nitesh Rane is the official candidate in the seat and the chief minister would definitely campaign for him. With regards to merger of Rane’s party, the BJP has the right to expand its party base,” Pramod Jathar, BJP’s Sindhudurg district head said.
Political observers say that for Rane, the move to the BJP was the last resort to remain politically relevant in Maharashtra. “After coming to the BJP, Rane will have to lie low; he will have to give up his ambitions to get any major portfolios. The move suggests that he is trying to secure a future for his son,” said Prakash Bal, a political analyst.