Rane has no right to speak on Sindhudurg relief steps:Kesarkar

Maharashtra minister Deepak Kesarkar on Tuesday hit out at BJP Rajya Sabha member Narayan Rane over the latter's criticism of relief and rehabilitation measures in rain-battered Sindhudurg district.

Kesarkar, a Shiv Sena leader, is also the guardian minister of Sindhudurg district, the home turf of Rane.

Rane had recently said the Sindhudurg administration had failed to swiftly respond to heavy rainfall in the district last week that crippled normal life in the coastal region and affected a large number of people.

Kesarkar, however, said Rane, a former Shiv Sainik who also served as chief minister, has no moral right to speak over this issue.

"He does not walk the talk. He does not have moral right to speak over administrative lapses and lack of funds for the district, said Kesarkar, who is Minister of State for Home.

"Rane is a senior leader. During his tenure he brought Rs 9 crore for Sindhudurg as against Rs 56 crore in my four- and-a-half years, he said.

Kesarkar also thanked the association of state governments class four employees who donated one-day salary to the CM Relief Fund to be used for flood relief works.