Union Minister Narayan Rane arrested for slap Thackeray comment

Mumbai: Union Minister and BJP leader Narayan Rane has been arrested for his comment that he would have slapped Maharashtra Chief Minister Udhav Thackeray for forgetting the year of independence that triggered a clash between Shiv Sena and BJP workers in Mumbai.

Narayan Rane while giving a speech in Raigad called the incident where CM Thackeray enquiring about the year of independence was shameful and worthy of getting a tight slap. Enraged over the comment, Sena workers took out a protest rally to Rane's house which was stopped by BJP workers resulting in an upfront clash.

Three FIRs have reportedly been registered against the Union Minister on his comment against the CM in Raigad, Pune, and Nashik districts. Several people on both sides and policemen are reported to have been injured in the clash.

Police said he will be produced before a court and further course of action will be taken in accordance with the court's directions. Nashik police Chief Deepak Pandey said that the arrest of Rane will be informed to the Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu since the Minister is a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Sena alleged that Union Minister Rane, the former party leader who defected to BJP, has been creating trouble in the state and his remarks are a part of his strategy to provoke tension.

Meanwhile, Rane defended his comment saying that nothing was wrong in his remarks. Responding to the arrest warrant that is being processed against him, Rane said that he was not a normal man and cautioned the media against reporting of his imminent arrest.