Won't defend, but also won't express regret over Rane's remarks against CM Thackeray: Maha BJP chief

Former CM Devendra Fadnavis said the BJP does not support Mr. Rane's comments. However, he remarked that Mr. Rane has been targeted and that the “party stands behind him 100%”.

Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Chandrakant Patil on August 24 distanced himself from Union Minister Narayan Rane's remarks against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, while Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis said the BJP does not support Mr. Rane's comments. He also remarked that he has been targeted and that the “party stands behind him 100%”. “I am not defending Mr. Rane's comments, but I will also not express regret,” Mr. Patil told a regional news channel. Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey on August 24 issued orders for the immediate arrest of Mr. Rane and a team of city police left for Chiplun in Konkan region, where Mr. Rane is present now, after a complaint against the Union Minister over the remarks.