Former Rane detractor quits NCP, joins Congress

45-year-old Sandesh Parkar, who headed the Kankavli municipal council in Rane's Sindhudurg district, joined Congress in presence of Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre at a function held at the party office here.

"Parkar has joined Congress as he felt that Congress is the only party for doing constructive work," Rane told reporters.

"We have no opponent left, with Parkar joining Congress. I wish him all the best," Rane said, hoping Parkar would strengthen the party in the coastal region.

In July 2011, Parkar was appointed General Secretary of NCP which earlier had late Gurunath Kulkarni, another leader from Konkan, on the post.