'I don't trust Sonia Gandhi,' says Rane

Virtually raising a banner of revolt, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane on Friday attacked the Congress leadership, accusing it of reneging on a promise to make him the chief minister.

Lashing out at party leadership after losing the race for chief ministership, Rane, who joined Congress in 2005 after three decades in Shiv Sena, said "I don't trust even Sonia Gandhi anymore."

He ridiculed Vilasrao Deshmukh and Ashok Chavan who is set to be the next chief minister.

Asked if he was leaving Congress, Rane said, "I will do that at an appropriate time."

"Ashok Chavan cannot even handle his own ministry and cannot be my competitor for the CM's post," he said.

Rane accused Deshmukh, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committe chief Manikrao Thakre, Mumbai Regional Congress Committee chief Kripashankar Singh and 'a Union Minister' of being behind the bid to stop him from becoming the chief minister.

"There is a conspiracy. I will reveal it at an appropriate time," Rane said.

Congress sources said the party leadership is viewing Rane's allegations seriously and would take a decision soon.

Launching a tirade against Thakre and MRCC chief Kripashankar Singh, Rane claimed the duo pressurised several legislators supporting him to tell the All India Congress Commitee observers that they supported Chavan.

At a hurriedly-called press conference at his residence, Rane said, "Ashok Chavan cannot be my competitor. They (party) should have forwarded my name.  All this is a drama.  There was no need for it.

"I have been a chief minister and the state and the whole nation knows my record and what administration I provided," he said.