Uddhav Thackeray demands Rane's arrest

Nagpur, Apr 8 (UNI) Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray today termed ''shameful'' the registration of an offence against Maharashtra Minister for Revenue, Narayan Rane in Katol, about 58 kms from here, for allegedly assaulting his party activists, and demanded his arrest.

''It is a dark day in the history of Maharashtra. Never before has a Cabinet minister in the state been booked under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with attempt to murder,'' Thackeray told reporters here.

Police registered an offence against Mr Rane and Subodh Mohite, congress nominee in the by-election from Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency, for allegedly assaulting activists of the Sena on the last day of electioneering at Katol yesterday on basis of an complaint from local Shiv Sena leaders.

The most unfortunate part was that Congress activists tried to defile a portrait of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mr Thackeray alleged adding that people, who did not have respect for the great Maratha warrior had no right to live in the state.

Mr Thackeray denied allegations that Shiv Sena activists had used abusive language against the Congress leaders.

He exuded confidence tht his party's candidate Prakash Jadhav would win tomorrow's by-election.

Meanwhile, Mr Rane has denied the charge that Congress workers had assaulted Shiv Sena workers in Katol yesterday.

Speaking to mediapersons here late last night, Mr Rane alleged that Shiv Sena activists had used indecent language that would provoke any self-respecting individual. However, he had personally intervened to prevent any untoward incident, he said.

Mr Rane also denied knowledge about an offence registered against him.

The by-election in Ramtek has been necessitated as Mr Mohite, who was elected in 2004 from the constituency on a Shiv Sena ticket, resigned from the party and the House to join the Congress.

UNI