Rane revolt sends negative signal in Maha Cong in poll year

“In an election year, the Congress can ill afford to tolerate such unabashed violation of party discipline”, a Deshmukh supporter said.

“If Rane is allowed to challenge the Chief Minister every passing day, it will send the signal that indiscipline is tolerated”, he said.

Dismissing speculations that the party may try to mollify Rane considering his influence in Konkan region and make him incharge of the state election campaign, the Deshmukh loyalist said, “If Rane is given a key party post, it will be treated by others that rebellion is rewarded.”

In the event of Rane’s exit from Congress, an option for him would be to form a regional party in Konkan as his influence is limited basically in the coastal region, he said.

Rane has few options outside the Congress at this juncture, given his tense relations with the Sena and NCP.

The Congress high command is in no mood to disturb Deshmukh and would be forced to take a stern view of Rane, who has repeatedly been saying it was impossible for him to share a working relationship with Deshmukh, he said.