'Would have slapped Uddhav': Narayan Rane's remark sparks row

A major political controversy broke out over Union Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Minister and senior BJP leader Narayan Rane’s comments on Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray.

Rane, popularly known as Dada, is the bete noire of Uddhav.

“It is shameful that the chief minister does not know the year of independence. He leaned back to enquire about the count of years of independence during his speech. Had I been there, I would have given him a tight slap,” Rane said.

Rane, however, said that he has not committed any crime. “I will not comment on reports….I don’t know whether there is an FIR against me and not one has told me….I have committed no crime,” he said.

Rane also threatened action against the media if it maligned his image.

“I have been in politics for 52 years….I know the relevant sections of law and know what constitutes an offence or not,” he said.

A veteran politician, Rane is currently touring the coastal Konkan belt, his bastion, as part of the Jan Aashirwad Yatra.

Security beefed up

Security has been beefed up across Maharashtra on Tuesday to avoid any clash between Shiv Sainiks and Rane’s supporters.

Additional police personnel were posted outside Rane's Mumbai residence and bungalow in Sindhudurg.

Rane's remarks drew sharp reactions from Shiv Sena, whose workers put several posters in Mumbai calling him a 'kombdi chor' (chicken stealer) along with his photo, a reference to the poultry shop he ran in Chembur several decades ago before he joined Shiv Sena under late supremo Balasaheb Thackeray.

“Rane has lost his mental balance,” said Shiv Sena MP from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Vinayak Raut, adding that he would request Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his removal from the government. “The Jan Aashirwad Yatra was with a good motive and purpose…that purpose is now lost,’ he said.

Rane is currently camping in Chiplun in Ratnagiri district and has not reacted so far.

Asked about the comments of Rane, senior BJP leader Pramod Jathar said: “Rane saheb has spent 40 years with Balasaheb….what Rane said is just ‘Thakeri-language’ that he has learnt.”

The Maha Vikas Aghadi partners too have taken serious cognisance of the offence. “The BJP is trying to play in Maharashtra politics akin to what they did in West Bengal,” he said.

Meanwhile, a complaint has been registered with the Nashik police.