FUELLING further the speculation about suspended Congress leader Narayan Rane's possible patch-up with the party leadership against whom he breathed fire, one of his close associates and Maharashtra PCC leaders met AICC chief Sonia Gandhi yesterday.
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Rane, who was expected to make an announcement on his future political course but deferred it, told a Marathi television channel in Pune, "Chief Minister Chavan, whom I met, has proposed that I join the cabinet. I am considering his offer and that is why the announcement on my future move has been put off."
Asked if he was likely to meet the Congress high command which suspended him following his public outburst against the party leadership Rane said, "I am still in the Congress and can meet any high command leaders including Sonia Gandhi.
Ashok Chavan (who succeeded Vilasrao Deshmukh) was and continues to be my friend," Rane added.u00a0 He maintains he has not received any written communication by the high command about the disciplinary action against him, indicative of a possible rapprochement.
Chavan too hinted at favouring Rane's patch-up with the party as he spoke of the need for unity in the party ahead of the elections. "Let us unite in fighting the opposition... I am looking forward to a united Congress," Chavan said, a day after Rane had a meeting with him.
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However, Chavan made it clear that it was for the AICC to take a decision on the issue of Rane. "The matter's not even been discussed and there's no question of assurance," said Chavan.
u2014 Agencies
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