Rane kickstarts campaign

Rane said, besides the fact that Chavan was Chief Minister of the state on two occasions, he also held key portfolios of Home, Defence, Finance and Planning at the Centre. However, he never utilised his political influence for the development of the Marathwada region, particularly Nanded district, but concentrated instead on the welfare of his family members. This was evident from the nominations of the Congress party for the ensuing simultaneous polls: The party nominated Ashok, Chavan8217;s son from the Mudkhed assembly constituency, and fielded Bhaskarrao Khatgaonkar Patil, hisson-in-law from the Nanded parliamentary constituency.

Launching a frontal attack on Chavan, Rane remarked, he was alone responsible for the backwardness of the Marathwada region. 8220;Chavan has no moral right to complain against the alliance government. He was at the helm of affairs for more than four decades, but he failed miserably to nurse his own home town, always promoting his son and son-in-law for obvious political reasons,8221; Rane said.

Sharad Pawar too, Rane said, neglected the backward regions and had no moral right to speak on corruption and criminilisation of politics. 8220;It was the alliance government which took several steps for the eradication of corruption and breaking the political criminal nexus. We sacked cabinet members facing charges of corruption and also launched a massive drive against underworld elements8221; Rane added.

Apart from strongly criticising the Chavan family, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and National Congress leader Sharad Pawar, Rane emphasised on development of the stateduring the four and half years of Shiv Sena-BJP rule.

On the developmental schemes for the Marathwada region, Rane informed that a high level Godawari Irrigation Development Corporation has been set up to implement the pending and ongoing irrigation projects.8220;Finance will not be a problem for the schemes, since the alliance government has raised sufficient funds through bonds and financial institutions.8221; he said.

Rane expressed an urgent need to help the crisis-ridden agriculture sectors, 8220;I feel, we should bring in new technology and also change the cropping pattern. We need to increase the per acre yield because then only the farmers will have better prospects.8221; he said.

For the welfare of the farmers, the government has undertaken scheme to provide financial assistance in the event of national calamities. 8220;We have provided them money to deal with such situations,8221; said Rane.

Continuing his tirade against other politicians, Rane blasted Shetkari Sanghatana leader Sharad Joshi for alligningwith Sharad Pawar, 8220;We are shocked at his changing colours. Till recently, he was planning to have an electoral alliance with Shiv Sena. I am sure, the electoral will teach him a lesson now.8221;