Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane on Sunday announced the launch of a new party– the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha, days after he quit the Congress party.
The former senior Congress leader launched a scathing attack on Shiv Sena, which he had quit in 2005, and its chief Uddhav Thackeray while extending support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“He (Thackeray) targeted CM Devendra Fadnavis, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and me yesterday. What is his contribution to the government? I am asked whether the Shiv Sena will stick with the BJP alliance till full term. I have always maintained that Sena will be kicked out,” said Rane.
Rane further said that his party, Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha, will support the BJP and work for the development of farmers, minorities and women. He also said that the party will announce the flag and electoral sign in the coming days.
Rane and his son Nilesh, an ex-MP, quit the party on 21 September miffed at not being selected the CM candidate despite being in the Congress for 12 years.
The 65-year old strongman from the Konkan claimed that he was “used and exploited” by the Congress to secure the support of his loyalist legislators and party activists and his political experience.
Rane was the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance Chief Minister for a year (in 1999) when it ruled the state between 1995 and 1999.