Rane thinks I146;m blocking his ambitions: Deshmukh

This is for the first time that Deshmukh has come out openly to criticise the actions of Rane, who periodically attacked the former CM, dubbing him as incompetent. Deshmukh said he did not give much credence to Rane8217;s public tirade against him since he has been suspended from the party. He said he understood the mindset of Rane who is 8220;pained8221; and 8220;demoralised8221; for not getting the top post.

8220;Rane was in my Cabinet for three years and now he says that I have taken the state 20 years backwards. What was he doing for three years then. His intentions are clear. If he had replaced me as Chief Minister, he would have praised me,8221; Deshmukh said. He said there was no comparison between his suspension from the party in 1997 and that of Rane8217;s now.

Deshmukh said he had publicly admitted his mistake of contesting a legislative council election against the Congress8217;s official candidate. 8220;My action was borne out of a peculiar situation. I did not join any other party and also did not publicly speak against the leadership. When I was suspended I had said that nobody can remove Congress from my blood. I am a born Congressman and I returned to the party fold,8221; Deshmukh said.

8220;Rane left the Shiv Sena three years ago after revolting. He then joined Congress only to revolt again,8221; he said.

Deshmukh said he had good relations with Rane when he was the leader of Opposition. 8220;He had invited me for a sumptuous fish curry lunch and now everything has turned fishy.8221;

Deshmukh said Rane was present in the CLP meeting which authorised the AICC president to select new leader. 8220;He is now opposing the decision and it is a revolt against the leadership,8221; he added.