On Tuesday BJP’s Union Minister Narayan Rane was arrested after a case was filed by Maharashtra’s ruling party Shiv Sena’s members filed a case against him for his comment of slapping Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over his “ignorance of the year of India’s independence”.
Narayan Rane’s comments sparked widespread protests by outraged members of Shiv Sena. Party workers from both sides were seen clashing on the streets of Mumbai when BJP workers tried stopping Sena members who were on a march to Rane’s home, waving flags and shouting slogans.
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The two groups pelted stones at each other while a group of Sena workers sat on the road and blocked traffic. A huge number of policemen tried to break the fight and disperse the crowd outside Rane’s Juhu home.
Nashik police have put out an arrest warrant in the name of Narayan Rane after an FIR was filed. As per reports, a team of police officials are en-route to Chiplun where Rane is currently present.
Earlier in Nagpur, a group of Sena workers were seen pelting stones at the BJP party office.
"The Union minister will be arrested in the case and produced before a court, and further action will be taken according to orders of the court," said Nashik police chief Deepak Pandey.
He said "after the arrest" Vice President Venkaiah Naidu will be informed as the minister is a member of the Rajya Sabha.
"While arresting Rane the police will follow all protocols about a Union Minister," said the officer.
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Ruling party Shiv Sena alleged that Mr Rane has been on the lookout to create unrest in the state and his recent remarks are part of his strategy to unravel tension.
Narayan Rane made the comments on Monday during BJP’s public meeting in Raigad which was organised by his party for a new minister in Prime Minister Modi’s cabinet.