Tuesday, July 12 2005 17:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Ending political uncertainty following his expulsion from Shiv Sena, Narayan Rane today (July 12, 2005) resigned as Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly.

Rane said he had planned to resign from the Shiv Sena Legislative Party last week, but was compelled to stay on as he did not want to give in to the campaign launched against him by the Sena.

In his parting speech in the Assembly, Rane said his rise in politics was due to Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.

He said he was deeply hurt by the treatment meted by the Sena leadership to his "unflinching loyalty" and party work in his nearly four-decade-long association with the Sena.

"Till the very last day (before expulsion) the Sena chief termed me as a loyal Shiv Sainik... then what suddenly changed that I was thrown out without giving any reason," Rane said, adding that it was high time that the rest of the Shiv Sena leaders realise that the same fate could be in store ahead for them also.

"Has any one thought how much it (the expulsion) might have hurt (my) family members or the people who voted me?" he asked.

Rane claimed that apart from the Sena chief, he too had played an important role in the Sena victory in Assembly and other polls, and said that he always selflessly strived to help ordinary Sena workers.

"This work will eventually pay me off," he said.

Rane said he had planned to resign from the Shiv Sena legislative party last week, but was "compelled to stay on as he did not want to give in to the campaign launched against him by Sena".

He said his rise in politics was due to Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, and added that he was deeply hurt by the treatment meted out by the Sena leadership.