The war of words between rebel Congress Minister Narayan Rane, who is set to quit his post next week, and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray escalated on Saturday after the latter taunted him with ‘consoling words.’
“Let his soul rest in peace in whichever party he chooses to join. He is at such a stage that someone needs to go and console him at this moment,” said Mr. Thackeray, a day after Mr. Rane lashed out at him.
‘Leaderless party’On Friday, at a press conference in Ratnagiri, Mr. Rane said, “Uddhav Thackeray calls me a turncoat but it is he who caused the most mental anguish to the party’s founder Balasaheb Thackeray.” He also called the Shiv Sena a ‘leaderless party.’
Meanwhile, Mr. Rane’s former close-aide Ravindra Phatak joined the Sena on Saturday along with seven other corporators of the Thane Municipal Corporation.
Mr. Rane is expected to announce his decision to resign from the cabinet on Monday in Mumbai. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan is scheduled to him earlier in the morning to persuade him to change his mind.
