Rane to meet Pawar this week

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane, who has announced that he would decide soon whether to join the Congress or the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is expected to meet NCP chief and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar this week.

"Next two days I am in Uttar Pradesh. After coming from there I will meet him (Rane)," Pawar, who had recently said that the expelled Shiv Sena leader was in touch with him for the last few months, told reporters here.

He was asked about the possible course of action by Rane who has been expelled from the Sena and who commands the backing of some 10 Sena MLAs.

To a question whether Rane would join the NCP or the Congress, he said "I do not know. You must ask this question to him".

At the same time, Pawar made it clear that his party welcomed Rane's decision to stay away from communal forces and give strength to secular forces.

He said Rane was a seasoned politician and hoped he would take a political decision regarding his future course of action soon.

"Whatever decision he takes, we will welcome it, whether he joins the Congress or the NCP or floats his own party," he said.

On lending the NCP support to separate Telengana, he said "the issue would be resolved within the framework of the UPA's mandate".

He also recalled that the President in his address to Parliament had referred to the issue of Telengana.