Chavan to meet Sonia over Rane's resignation

Rane says he is not satisfied with two hour discussions with Chavan

The fate of Narayan Rane, who has resigned from the Maharashtra cabinet as industries minister, will now be decided by Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, met the sulking Congress leader with an assurance that he will seek Sonia's appointment to address Rane’s grievances.

Rane, along with Chavan and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Party President Manikrao Thakre, is expected to meet Sonia Gandhi in a couple of days. Rane, however, told reporters on Tuesday he was not satisfied with the two-hour discussion with Chavan and Thakre.

“Chavan tried to persuade me to withdraw my resignation, saying my services were needed. But, I responded by telling him that the issues raised by me in my resignation letter need to be addressed first,” Rane said.

Rane reiterated that he has not been offered any post or assignment, but Chavan and Thakre insisted he stay in the Congress party.

Meanwhile, state BJP President Devenra Fadnavis said the party had not received any proposal from Rane to join it. Fadnavis said BJP would consider if Rane wishes to join the party. Fadnavis' statement is crucial when BJP's ally Shiv Sena had already announced he will speak to the BJP leadership not to roll out the red carpet to Rane to join the saffron camp. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has also made it clear that Rane won't be welcomed in the party.