Controversial politician Narayan Rane — who quit Congress, launched his own party and joined NDA — says he has told BJP he is a former CM and should be given respect.
Former Maharashtra CM Narayan Rane, who was with the Shiv Sena for nearly four decades and spent 12 years in the Congress, formed his own party this month and decided to enter the NDA fold. In an interview with Associate Editor Manasi Phadke, he spoke about his political ambitions and his reasons to ally with the BJP. Excerpts:
You have criticised BJP several times over issues such as corruption, lack of urban planning and delays in implementation over the past one year. Why did you still decide to join the NDA?
My party, the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha, is different from the four prominent parties in the state. I have entered into an alliance only because I know the major issues in the state that are pending to be addressed. When in power, I can do justice to people’s questions and find solutions to them rather than simply screaming in the legislature.
What are your political expectations from the BJP-led government in Maharashtra?
I have not given the BJP any particular choice of the portfolios that I would like to handle in the cabinet. But I have told them, I am a former CM and I should be given due respect.
Do you still have chief ministerial ambitions?
I have just launched a party. I don’t think it is right to unnecessarily have grand ambitions when I still need to establish my party first.
Longer term, are you more interested in Maharashtra politics or politics at the Centre?
Till 2019, I am here. After that, I would like to go to Delhi.
You have said a number of people from the Shiv Sena want to join your party. Have there been any formal talks?
In 2014, the Shiv Sena brought in a lot of new candidates. But now since the Sena doesn’t have much standing within the government, these people are running helter-skelter for opportunities. Some are in touch with me. Uddhav Thackeray cannot stop them. There is ample dissatisfaction within that party. About 27 people are likely to defect.
What do you think of the Sena’s role of an opposition within the government?
This does not fit in a democracy. In a democracy, there are two sides of one coin — the ruling and the opposition. Now, if people who are sitting in the cabinet keep opposing everything, the government will not function. But they don’t speak there. They come outside and oppose. What the Shiv Sena is doing is improper.
What do you think of the Congress’ future in Maharashtra?
I don’t see the Congress anywhere in Maharashtra and that is why I quit the party. It doesn’t seem like the party’s leaders are in touch with the people or are working for them at all, neither at the Centre nor in Maharashtra.
What immediate plans do you have to take your new party forward?
This is a party of common people, farmers, labourers and workers that will treat all religions equally. Our party will be registered on 15 October after which the flag and the symbol will be finalised. I will then tour Maharashtra and spread awareness about why I have established the party and what is likely to be different about it. I have 50 years of political experience, so I know how to manage a party.