Maharashtra revenue minister Narayan Rane’s political ambitions are beginning to cost the Vilasrao Deshmukh-led Congress-NCP coalition government its credibility. The erstwhile Shiv Sena strongman from the Konkan region who also briefly headed the then Sena-BJP government eight years ago is growing impatient. Even about two years ago when he joined the Congress and the Vilasrao Deshmukh ministry his eyes were firmly fixed on Deshmukh’s job. His patience is running thin. Not surprisingly that he has publicly criticised Deshmukh’s  style of functioning, even to the extent of claiming that the Congress could get wiped out in the next assembly elections. With leaders like Rane in its fold, the Congress probably doesn’t need a critic from the Opposition. Worst still, his antics came in the midst of an electoral setback to the party in Gujarat.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi was understandably upset with Rane’s outbursts and admonished him. However, Sonia ought to realise that Rane’s burning ambition was also carefully nursed by her close advisors in the Congress headquarters. It is an open secret that AICC general secretary incharge of Maharashtra affairs Margaret Alva is counted amongst Rane’s strong backers in Delhi. Perhaps, left to her, Alva would have by now engineered the transfer of power from Deshmukh to Rane. It would be a surprise if Sonia has not been aware of this. If that is indeed the case, then there is something seriously wrong with the way the party affairs are run these days.

This is, however, not to suggest that all is well in Maharashtra with Deshmukh at the helm of affairs. After all, almost around the same period in the previous Congress-NCP coalition government, Sonia had removed Deshmukh and sent Sushil Kumar Shinde from Delhi to lead the coalition and restore its shape ahead of the 2004 parliamentary and later the assembly elections. Sonia will undertake a review of the situation early in January and perhaps she might even consider a change of guard as Maharashtra is vitally important for the party. Yet, Rane can hardly be the man for the job. Congress “loyalists”  can be expected to rise in revolt. The party cannot afford it. Equally important, NCP leader Sharad Pawar will certainly oppose it as he has not forgotten the way Rane used him to bargain his way into the Congress two years ago. Thus, for Sonia the only option is to rein in Rane.