Meenatai statue vandalism was sena work-Rane

Mumbai, July 12 (UNI) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane today reiterated his charge that desecration of the statue of late Meenatai Thackeray was the handiwork of Shiv Sena.

Intervening during the debate on adjournment motion regarding the Mumbai bomb blasts, Mr Rane claimed that the information was passed on to him from Shiv Sena itself.

''I was even told the name of the person involved in the incident. Police investigations will expose the person and prove that the incident and the arson which followed was pre-planned.

The desecratrion was managed to help the party to regain popularity, he said.

There was no vandalism of idols of Hindu gods near the tatue'', he charged saying everybody had great deal of respect and dmiration for Meenatai.

The intervention came when Leader of Opposition Ramdas Kadam lashed out at Mr Rane for his remarks accusing the Sena for desecration while initiating the debate on adjournment motion.

He criticised Mr Rane for continuing in the government even after he accused it of being hand in glove with the Shiv Sena in the violence that followed after the desecration.

After Mr Rane reiterated his charge, Mr Kadam said, ''I will resign from my post of Leader of Opposition if the charges are proved true and you should do the same if you cannot prove your accusations''.

PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal came to Mr Rane's rescue by telling Mr Kadam to focus on the important issue of tackling security after the blasts rather than focussing on settling personal scores.

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