CM Fadnavis told Shiv Sena BJP ready to induct Rane: Sources
The BJP is in alliance with Sena in the state and hence it conveyed its decision to the Sena leadership.
Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has conveyed to the Shiv Sena leadership, his party’s decision to induct Congress leader Narayan Rane, said sources. The sources claimed that Mr Fadnavis purportedly said that “the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will open its doors for Mr Rane”.
The Shiv Sena, which has a bitter relation with Mr Rane, feels that his entry in the BJP is aimed at tackling it in Konkan. In response, Sena had upped the ante, talking about the state government’s stability. But BJP leadership has decided not to pay heed to Sena’s tactics.
Mr Rane is on the way to join the BJP, said sources. The deliberations between both the sides are underway for the last few months.
Mr Rane was with the Shiv Sena before he joined Congress in 2005. In Mr Rane’s home district Sindhudurg, Sena has directly fought against him.
The BJP is in alliance with Sena in the state and hence it conveyed its decision to the Sena leadership.
The sources claimed that Sena leadership is aware that BJP’s decision to induct Mr Rane is a direct threat to party’s base in Konkan.
The BJP doesn’t have single MLA in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg district whereas, out of eight MLAs in the region, Sena has five, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has two, and Congress has one.
“In the meeting on Monday, Sena leadership openly spoke about the stability of state government. We know it is merely pressure tactics. But, central leadership will not pay attention to Sena’s threats. We have plan-B ready,” said a senior BJP leader in the state.
Sena leadership is also aware that BJP won’t buckle under pressure over Mr Rane’s induction issue.
“We want to send a signal to our cadre that battle is on the doorstep. Monday’s meeting served that purpose,” said Sena’s MP and close aide of Uddhav Thackeray.
Vinayak Raut, Sena’s MP, who defeated Mr Rane’s son Nilesh in Lok Sabha elections, has taunted the BJP. “We know they (BJP) are opening doors for Bramha Rakshas. I will defeat them again,” said Mr Raut on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Mr Rane had said on Sunday that he will announce his next plan of action on Thursday.