Is Narayan Rane's outfit likely to merge with BJP?

Mumbai: Mr Narayan Rane on Tuesday took his oath in the Rajya Sabha as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member and kicked off speculation in political circles about the possible merger of his newly-formed party, the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha (MSP), with the BJP. Mr Rane, however, clarified to The Asian Age that there has been no decision on a merger till now but his party was contemplating it.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders are trying to gauge the Shiv Sena’s reaction to this possibility as it had stridently opposed Mr Rane’s inclusion in the state’s BJP-led government.

Mr Rane’s ‘political rehabilitation’ has been the topic of discussion in power corridors for last four months. The BJP’s state and Union leadership have managed to successfully send him to the RS  instead of keeping him in state. But he was given the RS seat on a BJP ticket, which begs the question about the purpose of the MSP’s existence.

He himself had clarified that the decision over the existence of the MSP would be taken in a week. But 15 days have passed and Mr Rane has not come to the any decision as yet.

It is not going to easy for Mr Rane, a former Shiv Sainik, who shares bitter relations with the Sena leadership or the BJP to merge the MSP.

BJP insiders feel that the Sena leadership may take objection to it. The saffron outfit’s central leadership is in no mood to disturb the Sena ahead of the general elections.

We will decide very soon. There will be discussions in our party as well as with our ‘well wishers’ and so we will inform you,’’ said Mr Rane on Tuesday over the phone.

There is also a buzz that Mr Rane is not happy at being sent to Delhi as he wanted to stay back in Maharashtra.

But Mr Rane was quick to clarify, “Do not take RS membership as Gadchiroli posting (side posting). I am happy where I am.”