Some Cong leaders had given up fight even before polls: Rane

In a veiled attack on former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, senior Congress leader Narayan Rane today alleged that many candidates in fray for the assembly polls were not provided funds and some party leaders had given up the fight even before the voting.
Addressing a press conference here, Rane, who was Congress campaign committee chief, said that during the tours that he undertook to canvass for the party, it was brought to his notice that candidates did not get the funds sent by the party.
"It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister and the funds are normally routed to the candidates through the Chief Minister," Rane said.

He also denied any knowledge about the alleged theft of Rs 10 crore, which were meant to be sent the candidates for their campaign expenditure.
"The amount of Rs 10 crore is nothing in an election campaign and the entire campaign does not come to a standstill because of this amount. Many party leaders had given up the fight even before it started," he said.
Rane said if there was indeed a theft, a police case would have been registered. "Since there is no FIR, hence there is no need to believe the speculation," he added.

Rane said when the 15-year-old alliance with NCP broke, it was evident that the Congress would lose power.

"Some people in our party gave up the fight and surrendered even before the voting," he said without taking any names.
He said that in the capacity of election campaign committee chief, he would write to the party high command, seeking action against such leaders.
Hitting out at the former ally NCP, Rane said the state leadership of NCP was in full attendance at the swearing in of Devendra Fadnavis at Wankhede stadium.
"NCP's hidden pact with BJP was known before elections. However, it is not yet known whether the NCP's outside support to the minority government is for self protection or stable overnment," Rane said in reference to corruption cases against the NCP leaders.