A day after former Maharashtra revenue minister Narayan Rane went public with his criticism of Congress president Sonia Gandhi for denying him the chief ministership, the high command cracked the whip and suspended him from the party with immediate effect.“It has been observed that after announcement of the new leader of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in Maharashtra, Narayan Rane is making public statements deliberately with a view to lower the prestige of the Indian National Congress. The party has taken a serious view of his utterances and considering this as a case of gross indiscipline, Narayan Rane has been suspended from the party with immediate effect,” said an AICC release in Delhi on Saturday.Reacting to his suspension, Rane said in Mumbai: “This Government should act responsibly. They should not make false allegations against me. If they do, I will not stop from showing my strength.” Saying that he had the support of 30 MLAs, the former Shiv Sena leader said he could bring down the Government if he wanted.He, however, said he was not resorting to such measures keeping in mind the people’s sentiments. “I welcome the decision as I don’t want to stay in the party. I think it is auspicious because Vilasrao Deshmukh was also suspended in 1997 and later, he was made the chief minister.” Rane had raised his voice against the way the chief ministerial candidate was chosen by the Congress. Rane said that on the day of the CLP meeting, 48 MLAs had given his name, 32 had named Ashok Chavan, nine named Patangrao Kadam and four named Vikhe-Patil. “If the resolution said that the decision should be taken by the high command, there was no need to continue talking to MLAs. They did not reveal the name that night itself deliberately,” Rane said.Rane said senior party leaders had “conspired” against him. “I want to tell these Congressmen that people’s sentiments are not being respected, they are selling the country for money. They did not seem to want a leader who can be elected on his own and win elections,” said Rane. Speaking to the press, Rane continued the war of words with Deshmukh saying it was laughable if Deshmukh says he had tried to take the state to the number one position. “Deshmukh has been blaming the intelligence agencies, but it is his failure. As CM, he has to keep a check on the intelligence inputs and ensure that they are acted upon. But instead of that, he was interested in the Urban Development Department. The Home Department, in the meantime, let the terrorists have a free walk in the city,” he said.Rane alleged that some leaders here were supporting terrorists and their role should be investigated. Rane said he was being sidelined by some party leaders because he had spoken out against the land deals and against industrialists in the state. “Had I become the CM, all the dubious land deals would have been exposed. Therefore, some industrialists have ensured that I was not made the CM,” said Rane. Rane also said the Government had not tabled the CSG report, which makes a mention on page number 172 about MIDC land, for the last one-and-half years. The report states that the state suffered a loss of Rs 1.19 crore as MIDC land in Latur was given to a Vilasrao Deshmukh Foundation. “This is the beginning, I can make such revelations every day.”“I could have continued to be a minister, but I cannot be helpless and suffer in this political game. I haven’t spoken against anyone. I respect the senior Congress leadership of Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony.” Meanwhile, as reports of his supporters protesting in Nashik and Beed came in, Rane asked his supporters to refrain from violence.
