<p>In a development that would change the political dynamics of the Konkan region, hundreds of supporters of veteran politician Narayan Rane on Tuesday formally joined the BJP. </p>.<p>The Konkan coastal belt, particularly the south Konkan region, is considered the stronghold of BJP's alliance partner, Shiv Sena. </p>.<p>At a function, in which Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was present, Rane's elder son and former MP Nilesh joined the BJP. </p>.<p>Rane's younger son Nitesh, who was a Congress MLA, had joined the BJP a couple of weeks ago and re-contesting from the family seat of Kankavli. </p>.<p>Technically, all members of Rane-floated Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha joined the BJP. </p>.<p>"Journalists often asked me, when Rane saheb is joining... a few days ago Nitesh joined, today Nilesh joined... Rane saheb is a Rajya Sabha member, he had a BJP form... he is already a BJP member," Fadnavis said. </p>.<p>In their speeches, Fadnavis and Rane ignored any mention of the Shiv Sena. </p>.<p>A former CM during the erstwhile Shiv Sena-BJP regime, Rane later became the leader of the Opposition but late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray expelled him from the party for raising a banner of revolt against Uddhav. Rane joined the Congress to become a minister but was sidelined and his dream or becoming CM again or state Congress chief was never realised.</p>.<p> He left the Congress, formed the MSP and came to the NDA fold.</p>
<p>In a development that would change the political dynamics of the Konkan region, hundreds of supporters of veteran politician Narayan Rane on Tuesday formally joined the BJP. </p>.<p>The Konkan coastal belt, particularly the south Konkan region, is considered the stronghold of BJP's alliance partner, Shiv Sena. </p>.<p>At a function, in which Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was present, Rane's elder son and former MP Nilesh joined the BJP. </p>.<p>Rane's younger son Nitesh, who was a Congress MLA, had joined the BJP a couple of weeks ago and re-contesting from the family seat of Kankavli. </p>.<p>Technically, all members of Rane-floated Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha joined the BJP. </p>.<p>"Journalists often asked me, when Rane saheb is joining... a few days ago Nitesh joined, today Nilesh joined... Rane saheb is a Rajya Sabha member, he had a BJP form... he is already a BJP member," Fadnavis said. </p>.<p>In their speeches, Fadnavis and Rane ignored any mention of the Shiv Sena. </p>.<p>A former CM during the erstwhile Shiv Sena-BJP regime, Rane later became the leader of the Opposition but late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray expelled him from the party for raising a banner of revolt against Uddhav. Rane joined the Congress to become a minister but was sidelined and his dream or becoming CM again or state Congress chief was never realised.</p>.<p> He left the Congress, formed the MSP and came to the NDA fold.</p>
