Rane claims support of 42 MLAs

Shiv Sena was on Sunday headed for a split as it expelled senior leader Narayan Rane from the party.

Rane claimed he had the support of 42 legislators.

Blasting the party executive president Uddhav Thackeray, his aide Milind Narvekar and Sena leader Subhash Desai for "conspiring against him for the last four-five years," Rane said, "The Sena had lost its lustre under Uddhav's command."

Quoting a Marathi proverb Aitya Bilavar Nagoba (snake on a readymade burrow) while taking a swipe at Uddhav, Rane said he had 'toiled for the party'.

"What have Uddhav, Narvekar and Desai done?" he asked.

Rane, who claimed that he respected the Sena chief Bal Thackeray, said, "The love for son (Uddhav) had scored over everything else."

Earlier in the day, Bal Thackeray, who addressed a meeting of party legislators and office-bearers, said that Rane was being expelled from the party.

Rane said he had yet to decide about floating his own party or joining another party. "I still think I am a Shiv Sainik", he told reporters at his official residence as opposition leader, after he was expelled from the party.

Asked about his cordial relations with Bal Thackeray's nephew Raj Thackeray, Rane said "I do not want to make anyone a martyr by discussing names of people."

Rane said he would quit as leader of opposition on the floor of the House in the monsoon session of the state legislature beginning July 11.

"Twenty-two legislators are with me. 20 others have phoned me, saying they supported me.

"Who enjoys more support would be seen in the legislative assembly," he said.

"As far as the Sena chief's other order, that of asking me to resign as an MLA is concerned, I intend to do that but not before taking my electorate into confidence as they have elected me on four occasions," Rane said.