Rane announces resignation from Cabinet, to wait for Sonia

New Delhi, Aug 7 (UNI) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane tonight announced his resignation from the Vilasrao Deshmukh government, but said he would wait for the return of Congress president Sonia Gandhi from Beijing on August 10.

Talking to mediapersons after discussions with AICC General Secretary in charge of Maharashtra Margaret Alva, he said he had resigned from the cabinet, but did not say with whom he had submitted the letter and when.

He, however, said Ms Alva asked him to wait till the return of Ms Gandhi from Beijing, where she had gone today to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

Asked what was the immediate provocation for his resignation, Mr Rane said he was not happy with the style of functioning of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmmukh. "If Mr Deshmukh continues as Chief Minister, the prospects of the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections are not going to be bright." In this context, he referred to the decision of the state government to allot 100 hectares at Navi Mumbai to Videocon for setting up an LCD manufacturing unit.

Maharashtra Acting PCC Chief Patangrao Kadam was also present during the meeting between Ms Alva and Mr Rane.

Earlier, Ms Alva said she would hold discussions with Mr Rane and other leaders in a bid to find a solution to the crisis in the Maharashtra unit of the Congress.

She, however, said a final decision on what was to be done would be taken by Ms Gandhi after her return from Beijing.

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