Saturday, August 20 2005 18:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Expelled Shiv Sena leader Narayan Rane, who later joined the Congress and is now Revenue Minister in the DF-Government, today (Aug 20, 2005) charged Sena chief Bal Thackeray with 'applying different yardsticks for him and Sena leader Raj Thackeray over their remarks on the party's style of functioning.'

"When I said something about the way the party was being handled, I was shown the door because I was an outsider. But when Raj said the same thing, he was called by the Sena Chief and his grievances were listened to," Rane told reporters in Mumbai today.

"Raj was given a hearing because he is a member of the family and I am not," Rane, who would be addressing a public meeting at suburban Andheri this evening, said.

Former Sena corporator Jaywant Parab and several present and former Shakha Pramukhs (Sena local unit chiefs) and Sena workers would be joining the Congress at the rally, Rane said.

Referring to Bal Thackeray's recent criticism against him, Rane said "What the Sena chief said about me means that it was due to me that all the constructive things werehappening in the Sena. They were solely due to my contribution."