Mumbai : Konkan strongman Narayan Rane appears to have toughened his stand and is demanding a plum ministry in addition to being made the MPCC chief, party sources have said.
After his talks with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday, Rane went to Delhi and met party vice president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday. He is expected to meet party president Sonia Gandhi along with CM Chavan and MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre, late on Friday night. But, his increasing demands ahead of the crucial meeting have again raised speculation that he might be planning to quit the party altogether.
During his meeting with Rahul, Rane discussed all the issues which have led to his resignation. Rahul is learnt to have listened to him patiently and assured him that his sentiments would be conveyed to party president. Rane also met a few other senior party leaders in Delhi and registered his dissent about Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan’s style of functioning.
Rane is also learnt to have argued that the party is bound to lose the assembly election in Maharashtra if the CM doesn’t make appropriate changes to his style of functioning. “I can change the situation provided I’m entrusted with the revenue ministry. I’ll tour throughout the state and turn the situation in party’s favour as MPCC chief,” Rane told party leaders in Delhi.
Senior party leaders from the State are of the opinion that, it is very unlikely that Rane’s demands will be met. But, the party is already too much stressed because of NCP’s demand for a larger share in the state assembly elections and would not want to increase the troubles in form of a dissenting senior leader. So, Rane will be heard, none of his demands will be met and the matter will be kept pending, a senior party leader said.
