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Narayan Rane quits Congress, warns of exodus by other leaders soon

Published

9 years ago

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Narayan Rane

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Maratha strongman, who joined the Congress in 2005 after being sacked by the Shiv Sena, likely to join the BJP, says decision to be made by Dussehra

Expected as it was, former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane ended his 12-year-long association with the Congress – a party he had joined in 2005 after being sacked by the Shiv Sena – on Thursday, amid indications that he could be joining the BJP.

However, the Maratha strongman from Sindhudurg’s Kudal constituency claimed that he also had an offer from the Shiv Sena to return to its fold but would take a final call by Dussehra. Curiously though, while stating that the Shiv Sena wanted him back, Rane also asserted that he would ensure that the Congress and the Sena are both routed from Maharashtra.

Unlike most politicians who quit a political party while claiming that they hadn’t joined it out of greed for an office, Rane made no bones in admitting that he was hurt by the Congress high command’s repeated refusal to project him as the chief ministerial candidate in Maharashtra or appointing him as the party’s state unit chief.

At a time when several senior leaders from across the country have been quitting the Congress – mostly to join the BJP which has been on an electoral victory march since 2014 – Rane said his resignation will also pave the way for “a massive exodus” of other Maharashtra Congress leaders and that it wouldn’t be limited to his stronghold of the state’s Konkan region.

Rane claimed that 25 Congress corporators from across the State had also quit the party in solidarity with him.

Amid speculations that he may even float his own political outfit instead of joining the BJP or returning to the Shiv Sena, Rane announced that he would begin a state-wide tour from Nagpur on Friday and cover Maharashtra’s two main power blocks – Marathwada and Vidarbha – over the next few weeks.

The Maratha leader, who had in recent months been vocal in his protests against Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan and the party’s general secretary in-charge of the state, Mohan Prakash, said he had great hopes – and personal ambitions – when he joined the Congress 12 years ago but the party “never made use of my capacity… I was insulted.”

Rane expressed his disappointment over how he was ‘overlooked’ time and again by the Congress high command in favour of the late Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ashok Chavan and Prithviraj Chavan (all former Maharashtra chief ministers). He said he was also overlooked for the role of Maharashtra Congress chief as many as four times, despite repeated assurances by top Congress leaders party president Sonia Gandhi’s political advisor Ahmed Patel and general secretary Digvijaya Singh.

“At one time, three Central observers, Pranab Mukherjee, Digvijay Singh and AK.Antony, approved of my name… 48 legislators supported me as their chief minister of choice…yet, all this came to nothing,” Rane alleged.

While Rane had been upset with the Congress high command for several months now, if not more, what seems to have come as the proverbial last straw was his bitter rival and state Congress chief Ashok Chavan’s recent decision to dissolve the party’s district unit of Sindhudurg. Most members of the Sindhudurg District Congress committee were Rane loyalists.

Rane’s overtures towards the BJP had begun in March this year. He has since then met Union minister and fellow Maharashtrian Nitin Gadkari, BJP national president Amit Shah and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis had even called on Rane during the recent Ganeshotsav celebrations, in a visit that escalated rumours of the Congress leader jumping the grand old party’s ship soon.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Gandhi Parivar vs Sangh Parivar, Revanth Reddy’s remark sparks BJP attack

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks contrasting the Gandhi Parivar with the Sangh Parivar triggered a BJP response accusing Congress of prioritising the Gandhi family.

Published

1 hour ago

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September 26, 2026

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Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks comparing the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar have triggered a political exchange, with the BJP hitting back at the Congress leader.

Speaking in Kerala on Friday, Mr Reddy described the contest over India’s future as a fight between the two “parivars”. He said the Gandhi family had made sacrifices for the country while accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to divide India on the basis of religion, caste, region and language.

What Revanth Reddy said

Mr Reddy cited Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi while speaking about what he described as sacrifices made by the Gandhi family.

He also referred to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying they had given up positions, power and high office.

The Telangana Chief Minister said he had no remaining personal political ambitions and described his objective as working towards a Congress-led government at the Centre with Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister.

Mr Reddy also appealed to people to stand with the Gandhi Parivar and oppose the Sangh Parivar. He described the latter as a threat to India’s democracy.

BJP hits back

The BJP responded to Mr Reddy’s remarks on Saturday.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Telangana Chief Minister’s comments amounted to an admission that Congress’s objective was to bring the Gandhi family back to power.

He also linked Mr Reddy’s remarks to the ongoing political debate around “vote chori”, the Election Commission, the Constitution and democracy, arguing that the Congress’s focus was instead on the Gandhi family.

The exchange adds to the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress, with Mr Reddy presenting the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar as opposing forces in India’s political future, while the BJP has interpreted his remarks as evidence of Congress’s focus on the Gandhi family.

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India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

Published

8 hours ago

on

September 26, 2026

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

Published

21 hours ago

on

September 25, 2026

By

Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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