Congress revokes Narayan Rane's suspension

NEW DELHI: Former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane's suspension from the Congress was revoked on Monday with immediate effect in an apparent move by the party high command to present a united face ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The announcement about the revocation of suspension of the Shiv Sena leader-turned-Congressman was made by AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi.

Rane, 57, was suspended a few months back after he attacked Congress president Sonia Gandhi after failing to become chief minister of Maharashtra following the removal of Vilasrao Deshmukh which saw Ashok Chavan getting the coveted job in the state.

Since then, Rane had been giving conciliatory signals and also had a meeting with the new chief minister, a foe-turned friend, who had been reportedly lobbying with the high command for the senior leader's rehabilitation.

There have been reports that Rane, an influential leader from the Konkan area, could become a minister.

Party sources said that the suspension was revoked as the senior leader had expressed regrets over his action and utterances against the leadership.

The move has come at a time when the Congress is under pressure from Sharad Pawar's NCP over seat sharing in the state and partymen pleading with the high command that a strong leader like Rane was an asset.