BJP MLA Nitesh Rane.
Credit: PTI Photo
Amid reports that the Shiv Sena (UBT) is contemplating fielding Sanjay Raut in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Narayan Rane family - the bete noire of the Thackerays - have dared him to contest from the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg seat.
Currently, Raut is a member of the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra - and is serving his his fourth term.
There were reports that Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray is contemplating fielding Raut for the Lok Sabha polls next year from the Mumbai North East seat.
Raut said that he would contest if the party asked him to do so. “If the party asks…party orders…I will contest…I will do whatever the party wants,” said Raut.
Reacting to the development, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane, who is the son of Union MSME Minister Narayan Rane, said, “Let him contest from the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg seat…his deposit will be forfeited.”
Incidentally, the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg seat is represented by Vinayak Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT), who defeated the union minister’s son Dr Nilesh Rane in the previous election.