Narayan Rane, who turned rebel and threatened to quit the Congress and float his own outfit after Ashok Chavan became chief minister, took a U-turn today and said he was “considering the offer” to join the cabinet. State Congress sources claim Rane is seeking the plum urban development ministry.
Indications of the change in stand came after Chavan yesterday held talks with Rane for almost 45 minutes. After the meeting, Rane cancelled invitations for his press conference and flew to New Delhi today to meet Sonia Gandhi.
Speaking with reporters in New Delhi, Rane said, “I am considering the offer given by Chavan to join the cabinet and I have put the plan to announce my future course of action on hold for the time being.” Rane met Gandhi’s Political Secretary Ahmad Patel and Defence Minister AK Antony.