Former Congress leader Narayan Rane announces his new party Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha, expected to align with BJP

Nearly two weeks after quitting the Congress party, senior leader Narayan Rane on Sunday announced the formation of his new party, named Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha. While Rane was mum over whether he would back the ruling NDA,  he did announce his support for the bullet train project and backed the development agenda of the BJP. This pointed towards his possible support to the ruling alliance in the near future. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Rane took potshots at the Shiv Sena, while sparing the BJP from criticism. “Shiv Sena will never leave power until it has been voted out by the voters,” Rane said on the party’s constant threats to pull out of the Maharashtra government. Criticising Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray for his salvos against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Rane said, “Who is Uddhav to talk about these elected leaders. Udhhav is just the leader of the Shiv Sena. He has no credentials to criticise them.” Slamming the Shiv Sena for playing the role of an opposition while still being in power, Rane said, “Shiv Sena does not want to think before speaking. They just want to criticise the BJP.” [caption id=“attachment_4099551” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Narayan Rane at the press conference. Firstpost/Sanjay Sawant[/caption] “If Shiv Sena wants to protest against BJP, then why are they coming on streets,” Rane said adding that not a single Sena Cabinet minister raised any issue in the Assembly or in the Cabinet. Recalling the Shiv Sena’s stance over demonetisation and the GST rollout, Rane said, “Shiv Sena has a minister at the Centre but did your minister protest against it?” Speaking on the Fadnavis government’s farmer loan waiver scheme, Rane questioned Shiv Sena ministers and claimed that the party leaders has never given any assurance in writing on the loan waiver. Rane also attacked the Sena over its doublespeak on corruption, drawing attention to the party’s 25-year rule in the BMC. “The BMC is the most corrupt institution in India. So, Uddhav has no right to talk on corruption,” Rane said. Rane claimed that the constant bickering between the Shiv Sena and the BJP is affecting Maharashtra’s economic development. The former Mahrashtra chief minister’s political career with Congress party was always under a question mark  after he gave repeatedly hinted of taking a “big decision” on his future. Finally on 21 September, Rane announced his resignation from the Congress, a party which he joined after the Shiv Sena shunted him out in 2005. “I have handed over my resignation to party chief Sonia Gandhi at 2.30 pm today. I have quit as Congress MLC and resigned from all party posts,” Rane said. Rane blamed the Congress’ deception for his move. Rane said, “The Congress party repeatedly assured that I will be made the chief minister of Maharashtra when I joined them 12 years ago. But they never fulfilled their promise.” With inputs from agencies