Shiv Sena UBT will crash like the Titanic after this, my last election: Rane

After almost ten years away, Union MSME Minister Narayan Rane is making a comeback to politics as the BJP’s candidate from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg in the Konkan, the stronghold of the Shiv Sena that Bal Thackeray formed. This is the first significant poll after CM Eknath Shinde’s overthrow.

There was a tug-of-war for the seat, with Shinde’s party laying claim. In 2014 and 2015, Rane, who has won six elections from the Konkan, quickly lost two assembly contests.

He tells TOI that while the BJP forced him to run this time, he is doing it out of loyalty to the party and is confident in his chances of winning. He adds that this is the final time he will do this and that it’s time to give up. Rane said further that Uddhav Thackeray’s party was not receiving any sympathy.

Q: The BJP and Shiv Sena engaged in a fierce campaign for the seat of Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg. It’s been a while since you were involved in electoral politics. How anxious were you to get up?

A: The BJP forced me to run from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg in this election. In order to fulfill the duty assigned by the party, I am running for office in this election. I had been elected from this area six times in a row. People here seem to want PM Modi to win a third term and for me to become an MP. This constituency is eager to support me on election day.

When this election is over, will you run in any more?
I’m not running for office again. I think it’s time for me to give up. I entered politics when I was fifteen years old. I have a ton of posts. My two boys work in politics. I think I should unwind and concentrate on my work.

You moved from the Congress to the BJP after leaving the Shiv Sena. Do you think voters will put up with this constant partying?

It’s acknowledged, and people think this is the party that’s suitable for me.
The industries minister, Uday Samant’s brother Kiran Samant was the Shiv Sena’s choice for this seat. Do they help you out with the campaign?

Both of them are contributing. They promise to provide me with a quality lead from Ratnagiri.

After the party split, is the Shiv Sena (UBT) receiving support from the public? Since Shinde dissolved the party and established a government with the BJP, this is the first significant election.

I can not comprehend a single thing. For what reason is sympathy expressed? When Uddhav Thackeray was chief minister, his cabinet members and MLAs deserted him. He was not acquainted with them. He made them feel bad. With a party like this, who stays? He went with Pawar and performed gaddari with Hindus. What did he do for Hindus and Marathi people? All he can do is make fun of and mistreat other people.

You’ve threatened to sue Uddhav Thackeray for disparaging Prime Minister Modi.

PM Modi, the home minister Amit Shah, and Fadnavis are all insulted by Uddhav Thackeray. It is wrong to let those who mistreat them live in Sindhudurg. We will advise law enforcement to deny them entry as it would jeopardize public order.

Konkan is regarded as Thackeray’s Sena’s stronghold. What is your prediction for its performance in this election?

The party of Thackeray will go down like the Titanic. He is one of sixteen MLAs. His MLAs will go after the LS poll, leaving the godown vacant.

What is your stance on the accusations that the BJP has undermined opposition leaders by using central agencies?

Only cases against individuals who engaged in corruption exist. There isn’t any departmental misuse. Actually, the MVA government used the politics of retaliation against me. I had no justification for my arrest.
They attempted to destroy my home. They were the ones that targeted me by abusing the law. Uddhav Thackeray initiated the politics of retribution when, after the 2019 election, he severed ties with the BJP and allied himself with the Congress and NCP. With Hindutva, he performed gaddari for the CM’s position.

Will the public acknowledge the collaboration of BJP leaders accused of corruption, such as Ajit Pawar, Ashok Chavan, and Bhujbal, with it?

People are aware of this. People embrace it and stand with us if there is a connection.

How do you react to claims that the BJP would change the Constitution if Modi received a sizable mandate?

The opposition is out of problems. Modi has never made any remarks on amending the Constitution. These folks are attempting to deceive the general populace.