Whatever I am today is because of Bal Thackeray: Narayan Rane
INDEBTED Whichever party I move to, Balasaheb’s place will remain unchanged, says ex-CM
Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane hailed Bal Thackeray on Sunday, asserting that the late Sena supremo has made him the man he is today.
"Whatever I am today is only because of Balasaheb. The confidence that Balasaheb had in me then, no other leader had. Whichever party I move to, Balasaheb’s place will remain unchanged,” Rane said at an event organised to celebrate his 65th birthday.
BJP leader Nitin Gadkari, NCP leader Jayant Patil, Ramraje Nimbalkar and Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde were also present on the occasion.
“When I wanted to become the Mayor of Mumbai, Balasaheb gave me a chance to become a Member of the Legislative Assembly. Maharashtra knows Narayan Rane only because of Balasaheb,” he said.
Rane said he does whatever he decides without fearing anybody because he works with honesty and sincerity. “I got chances to talk to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi as I used to talk with Balasaheb,” he said.
Rane said Gadkari has a bright future and that he has the capability to change the face of the nation.
“Our (Rane and Gadkari's) friendship is pure. I am in Congress, yet Gadkari came (to attend the birthday celebration) because of our friendship. Even when sharing the dais with aggressive leaders of Opposition parties, Gadkari looks unnerved. Only he knows how to put his position in danger to preserve friendships,” Rane said.
Meanwhile, Gadkari said that both have together played the role of an efficient opposition. “Rane came to Mumbai and created his leadership without having any political backing. He is a selfmade man. People change when they leave a political party. But Rane never disrespected Balasaheb,” he said.
"However, harsh was the criticism (from Sena) but he never said anything that would disrespect Balasaheb. Had Rane not left the Sena, politics in the state today would have gone in a different direction,” Gadkari said.
Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde said there are rumours of Rane considering joining other parties but they are unwarranted. “New legislators should consider Rane as an ideal,” Shinde said.