Former Congress leader Narayan Rane announces his new party

Agencies

October 1, 2017

Mumbai, Oct 1: Nearly two weeks after quitting the Congress party, senior leader Narayan Rane on Sunday announced the formation of his new party, named Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha. While Rane was mum over whether he would back the ruling NDA, he did announce his support for the bullet train project and backed the development agenda of the BJP. This pointed towards his possible support to the ruling alliance in the near future.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Rane took potshots at the Shiv Sena, while sparing the BJP from criticism. "Shiv Sena will never leave power until it has been voted out by the voters," Rane said on the party's constant threats to pull out of the Maharashtra government.

Criticising Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray for his salvos against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Rane said, "Who is Uddhav to talk about these elected leaders. Udhhav is just the leader of the Shiv Sena. He has no credentials to criticise them."

Slamming the Shiv Sena for playing the role of an opposition while still being in power, Rane said, "Shiv Sena does not want to think before speaking. They just want to criticise the BJP."

"If Shiv Sena wants to protest against BJP, then why are they coming on streets," Rane said adding that not a single Sena Cabinet minister raised any issue in the Assembly or in the Cabinet.

Recalling the Shiv Sena's stance over demonetisation and the GST rollout, Rane said, "Shiv Sena has a minister at the Centre but did your minister protest against it?"

Speaking on the Fadnavis government's farmer loan waiver scheme, Rane questioned Shiv Sena ministers and claimed that the party leaders has never given any assurance in writing on the loan waiver.

Rane also attacked the Sena over its doublespeak on corruption, drawing attention to the party's 25-year rule in the BMC.

"The BMC is the most corrupt institution in India. So, Uddhav has no right to talk on corruption," Rane said.

Rane claimed that the constant bickering between the Shiv Sena and the BJP is affecting Maharashtra's economic development.

The former Mahrashtra chief minister's political career with Congress party was always under a question mark after he gave repeatedly hinted of taking a "big decision" on his future. Finally on 21 September, Rane announced his resignation from the Congress, a party which he joined after the Shiv Sena shunted him out in 2005.

"I have handed over my resignation to party chief Sonia Gandhi at 2.30 pm today. I have quit as Congress MLC and resigned from all party posts," Rane said.

Rane blamed the Congress' deception for his move. Rane said, "The Congress party repeatedly assured that I will be made the chief minister of Maharashtra when I joined them 12 years ago. But they never fulfilled their promise."

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Nearly 500 US-Israel backed terrorists, riot ringleaders captured across Iran

News Network

January 20,2026

Iranian security and intelligence forces have captured more than 470 individuals in three provinces, identified as key figures behind the recent wave of violent unrest and terrorist activities linked to foreign-backed networks.

The Intelligence Ministry's provincial office in Khorasan Razavi announced on Monday the arrest of 192 armed terrorists, identified as the main agents behind recent riots in the region.

According to an official statement, the detainees were involved in the killing of several security personnel and civilians, setting fire to mosques, public service facilities, and buses, as well as attacks on military and law enforcement centers.

The seized items from the group include several bulletproof vests, Kalashnikov rifles, hunting weapons, Winchester rifles, and various cold weapons such as daggers, swords, brass knuckles, tactical knives, crossbows, and chains.

Evidence indicates that some of the individuals were tied to hostile movements and terrorist organizations, with links overseas. Others were identified as members of violent criminal gangs, actively taking part in the unrest alongside their associates.

Simultaneously, in the western province of Lorestan, the IRGC announced the arrest of 134 individuals as the main leaders and influential field agents of a US-Israeli terrorist network.

The IRGC statement stated that these individuals formed terrorist cells during the recent unrest, committing "Daesh-like" acts.

They wounded security forces with firearms and cold weapons, and burned and destroyed public and private properties, including mosques, shops, banks, and private and public vehicles.

In the northwestern province of Zanjan, the police reported detaining 150 people identified as principal leaders and agents behind recent riots.

Authorities noted that these individuals were responsible for destroying public and private property and intentionally setting fire to vehicles in the province's squares.

Their crimes include shedding the blood of innocent people, destroying public and private property, attempting to enter military sites, disrupting public order, and spreading terror among citizens.

A variety of cold weapons were reportedly seized from the detainees.

What began late last month as peaceful protests over economic hardship across Iran turned violent after public statements by US and Israeli regime figures encouraged vandalism and disorder.

During the unrest, foreign-backed mercenaries rampaged through cities, killing security forces and civilians and damaging public property.

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