Maharashtra: ‘Union minister Narayan Rane tried to defame Aaditya Thackeray, even BJP MLAs weren’t happy’

MUMBAI: Union minister Narayan Rane had tried to defame Aaditya Thackeray after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and even BJP MLAs had said they were against this kind of defamation, said Deepak Kesarkar, chief spokesperson of the Eknath Shinde group, in statements that seemed aimed at isolating the BJP politician.
Kesarkar added on Friday that Uddhav Thackeray had decided to quit as CM after a meeting with PM Narendra Modi in June 2021, but the move was scuttled after 12 BJP MLAs were suspended in the assembly and Rane was inducted into the Union cabinet.
Kesarkar also claimed that during their recent rebellion, Uddhav had asked them to dump Eknath Shinde and he would return to an alliance with BJP. “But BJP was not ready for it. Also, we, the MLAs in Assam, were not ready,” he said.
“When actor Sushant Singh Rajput died, there was an attempt to defame Aaditya Thackeray. Union minister Narayan Rane held press conferences at that time. These played a major role in defaming Aaditya Thackeray. Those who love the Thackeray family were hurt. I also expressed my displeasure to BJP leaders. We asked them how they allowed their party forum to be used for such things. They said most of their MLAs were against this kind of defamation,” said Kesarkar, adding that he contacted PM Modi and presented the facts to him.
“Uddhav Thackeray and PM Modi had a meeting (in 2021). Uddhav had clearly said, ‘I value my family relationship with you more than my position’. He had decided to give up his post. In the next 15 days, he was going to relinquish his post. But in the meantime, 12 BJP MLAs were suspended. There was a message from BJP: our talks are ongoing. BJP expressed the opinion that such suspension is not appropriate. It was stayed by the court. Later, Narayan Rane was included in the Union cabinet. Uddhav Thackeray did not like the inclusion of Rane in the cabinet. Due to this, the talks stopped,” said Kesarkar.