BJP offers Narayan Rane Rajya Sabha seat to ‘pacify’ him

Mumbai: In a bid to pacify sidelined leader Narayan Rane, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has offered him Rajya Sabha membership. Mr Rane’s political adjustment has been a key topic in state politics in the last few months. Since the Shiv Sena has strongly opposed his induction into the state Cabinet, the BJP has made him this offer, according to sources.

After leaving the Congress and forming his own party, Mr Rane is waiting to be appointed as a minister. In fact, he has publicly said that he would be appointed to the cabinet in the state government very soon. But the buzz is that the BJP’s alliance partner, the Sena is strongly opposed to his induction. The BJP’s state leadership has informed its central leadership about the Sena stand.

Last week, Mr Rane met the CM in Mumbai, and according to sources, he again demanded a berth. He has even publicly stated that it is not in his nature to wait for so long. Hence, the BJP leadership has found a middle way to pacify the former chief minister.

Before resigning from the Congress, Mr Rane was a member of the legislative council of the party. In the recent council election, Mr Rane was not given a ticket by the BJP as the Sena opposed his candidature. Mr Rane formed  the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha.