Rane blinks after 10-day stand-off with Shiv Sena

In a nearly 40-minute-long resignation speech aimed at the Sena cadre, Rane today criticised the party leadership, with the exception of Bal Thackeray, whom he made sure to thank.

The Sena rebel spoke of his long association with the party and warned of growing corruption and nepotism in the party. He projected himself as a sincere worker who had paid a heavy price for his loyalty.

Rane accused some leaders of conspiring against him after he questioned their actions which had cost the party dear. ‘‘Money was taken for distributing tickets in the Assembly polls,’’ he alleged. ‘‘There were regionwise rates for the tickets. I have seen people going in with full hands and returning with empty hands. The result was that the party lost,’’ the rebel said.

Cheered by Congress and NCP legislators, Rane asked why he had been sacked despite 39 years of service. ‘‘Is this the reward for unflinching loyalty?’’ he said. The veteran said his only act of indiscipline was to voice the grievances of ordinary Sainiks, which ‘‘annoyed the executive president (Uddhav Thackeray)’’.

The Speaker has sought time to decide on a petition filed by Rane against 23 Sena MLAs for defying a whip he had issued in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition.

Uddhav Thackeray has responded by saying Rane had tried, unsuccessfully, to capture the Sena. ‘‘Rane tried to take advantage of the Sena chief’s ill health. He (Rane) was under the impression that it was he alone who maintained and operated the Sena and he tried to take over,’’ the executive president said.

What next?

MUMBAI: THE NCP and the Congress are now wooing Narayan Rane, hoping to capture a huge voter base in the Konkan by inducting him into their party. Congress leader Margaret Alva, who recently visited Mumbai, said her party would like to have Rane in its fold. NCP chief Sharad Pawar met Rane on Monday night and is learnt to have offered him a Cabinet berth. —ENS