After CM, BJP state chief Raosaheb Danve calls on Narayan Rane

MUMBAI: State BJP president and

Lok Sabha

member Raosaheb Danve on Monday called on Congress politician and former chief minister Narayan Rane at his residence in Juhu.

“I was at Rane's residence, it was for seeking blessings of Lord Ganesha,“ Danve said. “It was a social call. I did spend some time with members of the

Rane

family but there was no discussion on politics. There was no discussion on whether Rane is joining the BJP or otherwise.“

Danve's visit assumes significance in vi ew of the ongoing talks on his entry into the BJP . Danve is the second top BJP politician after CM Devendra Fadnavis to meet Rane at his residence this Ganeshotsav .

After initial reservations, it now appears that the BJP is keen on bringing in the Konkan strongman as soon as possible.

Fadnavis had a marathon meeting with Rane on Friday . He, too, said there was no discussion on politics or Rane joining the BJP .

A senior BJP politician said though BJP national president Amit Shah did not meet Rane on his visit to the city on Sunday , he did discuss at length the issue of Rane's BJP entry with Fadnavis and Danve.

“It was felt that it will not be possible for the BJP to accommodate Rane and his two sons in the 2019 Lok Sabha and assembly polls, but now a new formula has been drafted,“ the BJP politician said. “If he accepts it, then soon Rane will join the BJP .“

The revised formula proposes that Rane will be nominated to the Rajya Sabha, his legislator son Nitesh will be inducted into the ministry , and elder son Neelesh will be nominated to the legislative council.