Narayan Rane ‘invites’ Amit Shah to his b’day, fuels speculation

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, March 25

Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane’s alleged invitation to top BJP leaders, including its president Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his birthday celebrations next month has given rise to speculation that he could join the saffron party.

According to Congress leaders, Rane has invited Shah, Fadnavis and several top BJP leaders for his 65th birthday celebrations in Mumbai on April 10.

Rane’s hobnobbing with the senior BJP leaders comes shortly after his son Nilesh, a former MP from Sindhudurg, resigned from the Congress party after blaming MPCC chief Ashok Chavan for the party’s poor show in the recent local body elections.

Aides of Narayan Rane refused to confirm whether he has invited Shah and Fadnavis for his birthday celebrations.

However Rane himself told reporters that he had no plans to quit the Congress or join the BJP or any other outfit.

The Shiv Sainik-turned-Congress leader told reporters in Sindhudurg today he was very much with the Congress.

“The BJP has made no offer to me and there is no negotiation to join the BJP,” Rane said.

He however told reporters that he was in contact with the Chief Minister for getting his work done.

Congress leaders however point out that Rane has taken to accompanying Fadnavis on tours in recent times.

However Rane blamed his rivals within the Congress party for the rumours that he was joining the BJP.