Congress revival difficult in present state of affairs:Rane

Nagpur, Oct 16 (UNI) Asserting that the revival of Congress in the state was difficult in the existing state of affairs in the party, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane today called for ''serious introspection'' by everybody in the organisation.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Rane said the functioning of the party's top leadership in the state left much to be desired and had created resentment among the ordinary workers as well as legislators.

''For example, the appointments to various boards and corporations were delayed by four years. What's the use of making the appointments now? They will need six months to get to know the working. By then, (the assembly) elections will be declared. The state leadership should have made the appointments immediately after the new government was formed,'' he said, without naming anybody.

Similarly, the cabinet expansion has been on hold for several months, Mr Rane said.

''There has been too much delay. It is an injustice on party workers, especially the legislators,'' he said.

Commenting on a report that Maharashtra had the highest number of communal riots, Mr Rane said that it was now the responsibility of the government to initiate immediate remedial measures.

''The top functionaries in the government are enlightened enough to know what is to be done, to restore the image of the state and the party in the mind of the public eye,'' he said.

Asked if the high command did not monitor the affairs, Mr Rane shot back ''The high command only gives guidance. It is the responsibility of the leadership in Maharashtra to get things done -- right and fast.'' The office bearers should assert themselves; they should not let ''others'' lead them, he said.

''It is high time for everybody of us in the party to carry out a serious introspection,'' he asserted.

The manner in which former union minister Subodh Mohite missed the deadline for filing his nomination for the upcoming by-election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council indicated that there was mismanagement in the party, Mr Rane said.

''Once the high command nominated Mr Mohite, it was the responsibility of the party machinery in the state to ensure that he made it to the returning officer's chamber on time,'' he said.

Forcefully denying that he had been instrumental in getting the nomination for Mr Mohite, the Revenue Minister said ''If I had been involved, I would have ensured that Mr Mohite reached on time anyhow. His plane would have landed (in Pune) immediately, no matter what.'' UNI AB RN RR VC1616