Decision on my RS candidature after meeting Shah-Fadnavis

Former Congress leader Narayan Rane, who was reportedly offered Rajya Sabha berth from Maharashtra by the BJP, today said the decision regarding his candidature will be finalised after tomorrow's meeting between party chief Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
"I met Fadnavis regarding various issues. He asked me about Rajya Sabha election and I told him my opinion," Rane told reporters on the state legislature complex here.
He said Fadnavis had told him that he would discuss this issue with Shah in Mumbai tomorrow.
"I and Fadnavis will discuss the issue after two days," Rane said.
Rane, who had served as state chief minister in 1990s when he was in Shiv Sena, last week claimed that Shah had offered him a Rajya Sabha berth.

However, Rane didn't disclose whether he has accepted the "offer", as doing so would mean staying away from the state politics at a time when he is waiting in wings to enter the Maharashtra cabinet.

His Cabinet entry was reportedly delayed due to the strong opposition by the Sena, the ruling partner in the Centre and the Maharashtra government.
Interestingly, Rane's son and Congress MLA Nitesh Rane recently tweeted that "Well-wishers like us want Rane saheb to be in state politics for longer time...Maharashtra needs him more..We want to see him in The Vidhan sabha..Hope he considers!"
His tweet ended with two words, fingers crossed and a hashtag #RaneforMaharashtra.

When asked about the tweet, Rane said it was Nitesh's personal opinion.
"I will think over it. My decision will have some reference to his tweet. What I feel about the tweet would be out after two days, not now. After two days, the decision will be taken after discussing it with Fadnavis and Shah. I will meet Shah wherever he is and whenever he calls me," Rane said.
He said the contents of his son's tweet were not discussed today during his meeting with the chief minster.
When asked about whether he will personally meet Shah tomorrow, Rane said, "I am not in Mumbai tomorrow".

The Konkan strongman denied receiving any new proposal from the BJP or Fadnavis regarding Rajya Sabha elections.
"I have also discussed the issue with some experts and journalists," he said without elaborating.
Rane, who floated the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh after he quit the Congress last year following a 12-year stint, is eyeing a berth in the Fadnavis-led ministry, which completed three years in October last year.
Soon after forming the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh last year, Rane had announced his support to the BJP-led NDA.
The election for six RS seats from Maharashtra will be held on March 23.
Presently, the Congress and the NCP each hold two of these six seats while the BJP and Shiv Sena share the rest.

The BJP has 122 MLAs in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and is in a position to get three candidates elected to the Rajya Sabha.
The deadline for submission of nominations is March 12 and the election, if necessary, will be held on March 23.