Hurt by Rane's personal comments: Prithviraj Chavan

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said that he was hurt by former industry minister Narayan Rane's personal comments against him.

"Yes, I was hurt when Narayan Rane made personal comments against me but the interest of my party was my priority," Chavan said in an interview with IBN Lokmat news channel.

He also said a public spat would have confused the party workers and helped the opposition, so he requested Rane to meet the party high command and talk to them.

Chavan clarified that he hasn't accepted Rane's resignation as he was hopeful of an amicable solution.

He also said in the interview that he was "not aware of the discussion that took place nine years ago, when Rane joined Congress", adding that he cannot be held responsible for Rane's problems and they cannot be solved at his level. Rane, who joined the Congress in 2005 after quitting the Shiv Sena, contended that he was told he would be made chief minister in six months but nothing had happened in all these years.

Quitting the Chavan government July 21, Rane had criticized the chief minister for slow decision-making, lack of control over the administration and other issues which affected the Congress showing in the last Lok Sabha elections.