Maharashtra's Industries Minister Narayan Rane today resigned from the government for a second time since the Lok Sabha poll rout, slamming Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan for "slackness" in decision-making and saying he does not want to be a "partner in defeat" in assembly elections.
A bitter critic of Chavan, Rane, who is pitching for a leadership change ahead of the state assembly polls due in October, handed over his resignation to the Chief Minister at his official residence this afternoon.
Addressing a news conference after submitting his resignation, the influential leader from Konkan region mounted a scathing attack on Chavan, accusing him of slow decision- making and lack of control over administration.
"Decisions relating to the people's works are not taken quickly. There is no control over administration. The slow administration affects people's work and dissatisfaction was manifest in Lok Sabha polls," Rane said, adding "I don't want to be a partner in the defeat in the assembly polls and that's why I have quit."
Rane, an aspirant for CM's post for long, also expressed his displeasure with Congress' central leadership.
"I was told I will be made CM in six months. But in nine years the promise has not been kept," Rane, who has been publicly claiming he was assured of chief minister's post when he quit Shiv Sena to join Congress in 2005, said.
"Not a single associate who came with me to Congress was made legislator," Rane, a former Shiv Sena chief minister, said.
He, however, said he would not leave the Congress.
"The CM has informed me he will speak to Sonia Gandhi and revert to me. I will announce my next move after that," he said.
Rane had earlier resigned in May following the defeat of his son and sitting MP from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg seat Nilesh but it was not accepted.
Rane said he had sent in his resignation in May and today he personally met the Chief Minister with a fresh resignation letter.
"The CM told me not to resign as I am needed but I told him I don't wish to continue," he said.
There was no official word about whether the resignation has been accepted.
