Narayan Rane slams Uddhav Thackeray, says no dearth of openings for 'real' man

RATNAGIRI: Maharashtra Minister Narayan Rane, who has announced he will quit his Cabinet post next Monday, today hit back at Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray for his "not welcome in saffron camp" remark and asserted a "real" politician has vacancy everywhere.
Rane, however, clarified he was not leaving Congress amid speculation the Konkan strongman was exploring various political options, including joining some other party, after his announcement to quit the Ministerial post yesterday, a move which comes a few months ahead of the Assembly polls.

Launching a blistering attack on Uddhav, Rane alleged he tormented his father, Sena founder late Bal Thackeray, and said he lacks qualities to head the saffron outfit which has become "leaderless".

"Late Balasaheb faced maximum mental trauma from his son," the Shiv Sena leader-turned-Congressman said at a press conference here enroute to his constituency Kankavli in coastal Sindhurdurg district.

Rane said Uddhav had no moral right to comment on his future political plans. "Shiv Sena is a leaderless party. A person like Uddhav who can't handle his own outfit should not comment on others. Those who fear my shadow should not criticise me."

"I will reveal the reasons for quitting the Ministerial post on Monday. Resigning from Ministry does not mean I am going anywhere," Rane said when asked if he plans to quit the Congress, which he joined in 2005.

The former Sena Chief Minister lashed out at Uddhav for stating that he (Rane) was not welcome in the Sena-BJP camp for showing disrespect and causing mental agony to Bal Thackeray during his lifetime.

"A real man (mard manoos) has vacancy everywhere. It is up to him to decide his path," Rane said.

The Industry Minister sought to downplay Shiv Sena's success in the Lok Sabha elections, where it won 18 seats in Maharashtra, attributing the healthy rally to a "Modi wave".

The situation has changed now and the Sena under Uddhav would not be able to repeat the success in the Assembly polls and facilitate his ascension to the Chief Minister's post, the Congress leader said.

"Uddhav gets no credit for the Lok Sabha victory. Those who don't understand the State's issues and problems and have no vision for development should not dream of becoming Chief Minister," he added.