Reacting to the bail granted to Union Minister Narayan Rane, who was arrested on Tuesday for his remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, state BJP president Chandrakant Patil said that the bail of Rane is a 'slap' by the Court on the face of state government.
He also asserted that Jan Ashirwad Yatra in the state would continue despite all odds. He also demanded the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government to take back the restrictions put at Sindhudurg district.
"It is a victory for BJP. The manner in which Rane was arrested by this (Maharashtra) government... the court has slapped them. For the last 20 months, this government is being slapped on every occasion," the state BJP chief said.
"Narayan Rane has been granted bail, the court order copy is yet to be received. The court must have put some restrictions on his speaking but Rane sahab is free from police custody now. Even if he does not give speech, thousands of people will be on street tomorrow to see him, to see if their leader is safe," he said.
Union Minister Narayan Rane was on Tuesday granted bail by the Magistrate Court in Mahad in Raigad district of Maharashtra hours after his arrest over his remarks against state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, BJP MLC Prasad Lad informed.
The bail has been granted on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 15,000, as per sources
Rane was sent to judicial custody earlier on Tuesday after he was produced before the Magistrate Court in Mahad in the Raigad district of Maharashtra.
Rane was arrested in Ratnagiri district after FIRs were filed against him.
He had on Monday accused Thackeray of ignorance about the year of India's independence at an event and said "I would have given a tight slap".
Shiv Sena leaders strongly condemned Rane's remarks. Party leader Vinayak Raut sought his removal from the union cabinet.
FIRs were registered against Rane at several places including Nashik and Pune, based on the complaints filed by Shiv Sena leaders.
Pune City Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta said a case has been registered under sections 153 and 505 of IPC at Chaturshringi police station and an investigation is being held.
Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey said that Ratnagiri Police have been requested to arrest Rane.
Police detained Rane in Ratnagiri and he has been handed over to Mahad Police.
Rane had earlier in the day moved the Bombay High Court seeking quashing of FIRs against him.
Nashik Police said that remarks by Rane against the Chief Minister may aggravate the law and order situation. It instructed officials to follow all protocols necessary to arrest a Union Minister and Rajya Sabha member.
As per the protocol, the Vice president of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha must be informed after the arrest of a Rajya Sabha member.
A verbal spat had erupted between supporters of Rane and police at Sangameshwar Police Station in Ratnagiri.
Rane, a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, was made Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the reshuffle and expansion of the council of ministers last month.
Rane is in Maharashtra to take part in Jan Ashirwad Yatra. He made controversial remarks against Thackeray in Raigad.
Mumbai Police have registered a total of 42 FIRs in connection with Rane's Jan Ashirvaad Yatra.
( With inputs from ANI )
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