Congress will emerge as single largest party; Rane

Pune, Jan 30 (UNI) The Congress will emerge as the single largest party in most civic bodies in Maharashtra, State Revenue Minister and Congress leader Narayan Rane claimed here today.

Addressing a gathering ahead of elections to the civic body on February 1, Rane said that only the Congress was capable of living upto the aspiratios of the people as it was in power at the centre as well as the state.

Rane came down heavily on the NCP President Sharad Pawar for blaming the Congress for the lack of development. ''What has Pawar done for the development of the State when he has been the Chief Minister four times'', Rane asked, adding that efforts would be made to make Pune a world class city.

He said the true face of NCP has come to light after two cases were registered against NCP candidates in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation for allegedly distributing money to lure voters.

Rane criticised Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray for his remarks against President A P J Kalam. He said the support for the Sena has dwindled and from lakhs only a few thousands can be seen now during rallies.

Referring to Thackeray's comments about separating Mumbai from Maharashtra, Rane said the issue was not on the Congress agenda.

UNI