I would have won had I contested polls, expect BJP to make me minister: Rane

Mumbai: Former chief minister and president of Maharashtra Swabhimaan Paksh, Narayan Rane, who recently quit Congress and joined NDA, said he was confident of winning, had he been given the opportunity to contest the upcoming Legislative Council elections. “I was confident of victory by getting 155 votes and many Shiv Sena MLAs too were ready to support me,” he told The Asian Age.

While BJP refrained from fielding Mr Rane, the latter said, “Sena, Congress and NCP united against me and this is my victory. I hope that BJP will keep its promise and I will become a minister soon.”

Mr Rane was quick to point out that he was not upset and agreed with BJP’s decision. 
“More than 20 to 25 MLAs, including from Sena, were ready to vote for me and I have managed votes from other parties in many elections,” Mr Rane said. 

However, while Mr Rane was ready to contest the polls, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was unwilling to risk Mr Rane losing, thereby impacting the Gujarat elections. Mr Rane accepted this logic.

Meanwhile, sources said Mr Rane consulted with Mr Sharad Pawar on Sunday night.