Tuesday, July 12 2005 20:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Maharashtra assembly today (July 12, 2005) witnessed an unique spectacle of ruling benches coming out openly in support of expelled Sena leader Narayan Rane, after he announced his decision to quit as Leader of Opposition.

Public Works Department Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who quit Sena in 1991, was Rane's most vocal supporter in the House.

In fact, Bhujbal linked the reasons behind Rane's exit from Sena to 'casteism' in the party.

"You (Sena) did not tolerate me, a Mali, you did not tolerate Ganesh Naik, who belongs to Agri community, and you did not tolerate Rane, a Maratha", Bhujbal said.

He also took a swipe at the toning down of the militant spirit of the Sena. "When I left Sena, Shiv Sainiks greeted me with stone-pelting wherever I went. Now, when Rane has also followed my path, the same militant spirit is missing. Is this a change in attitude or has democracy at last set in Sena?" he asked.

BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) group leader Gopinath Munde said Rane's exit from Sena was an 'accident'. "I did not expect that such a situation would arise," he said.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh lauded the work done by Rane during his six-year stint as Leader of Opposition in the lower house. "I agree with Rane that he never compromised the position as Leader of Opposition," Deshmukh said.