Kudal, Maharashtra: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane today quit the Congress, amid speculation that he was planning to join the BJP.
Announcing that he has quit the party, Mr Rane accused the Congress of reneging on its promise of making him the chief minister after he joined the party 12 years ago.
Mr Rane, who was the chief minister in 1999 while being part of the Shiv Sena, said he has also resigned as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC).
"Ahmed Patel had told me after I joined Congress that I would be made the chief minister," Mr Rane said while addressing a press conference in his native Sindhudurg district in coastal Konkan region.
"Even Madam (Sonia Gandhi) had told me twice that I would be made the chief minister," he added.
The former Shiv Sainik joined the Congress on July 26, 2005, and the next day was made revenue minister in the then Congress-led government in the state.
"I have not yet decided where to go," Mr Rane said, referring to the speculation about his joining the BJP.
The speculation was triggered with reports that he had met BJP president Amit Shah in Ahmedabad a few months ago.
During the recent Ganesh festival, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had also visited Mr Rane's residence. Mr Rane said his son and former Congress MP Nilesh Rane has also resigned from the party.
Announcing that he has quit the party, Mr Rane accused the Congress of reneging on its promise of making him the chief minister after he joined the party 12 years ago.
Mr Rane, who was the chief minister in 1999 while being part of the Shiv Sena, said he has also resigned as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC).
"Even Madam (Sonia Gandhi) had told me twice that I would be made the chief minister," he added.
Advertisement
"I have not yet decided where to go," Mr Rane said, referring to the speculation about his joining the BJP.
Advertisement
During the recent Ganesh festival, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had also visited Mr Rane's residence. Mr Rane said his son and former Congress MP Nilesh Rane has also resigned from the party.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Theft At Official Residence Of Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh, Cash Stolen: Cops "Neither Tired Nor Retired": Bhupinder Hooda On Next Haryana Chief Minister Trinamool Vs Ex Women's Panel Chief Over Kolkata Doctor's Rape-Murder Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool Rahul Gandhi's Seat At Red Fort Triggers Fresh Congress Attack On BJP Left, BJP, Creating Unrest: Mamata Banerjee On Midnight Attack At Hospital 'Don't Club Us With Others,' Says Manipur's Thadou Tribe, Waits For Peace Plan More Monkey Pox Cases Likely To Hit Europe Soon, Says WHO Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.