Ratnagiri: Maharashtra Police have arrested Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narayan Rane in Ratnagiri, in connection with his remarks against Chief Minister Udhav Thackeray.
"We picked up Rane in coastal Ratnagiri district, where he is travelling as part of the Jan Ashirwad Yatra," a police official privy to the development said.
"He was taken to the Sangameshwar police station after being taken into custody," the official added.
Sources said the BJP leader complained of high blood pressure and sugar levels and a doctor was called to examine him.
Read: Nawab Malik slams Narayan Rane for 'derogatory remarks' against Uddhav Thackeray
"It is shameful that the chief minister does not know the year of independence. He leaned back to enquire about the count of years of independence during his speech. Had I been there, I would have given (him) a tight slap," Rane said on Monday while addressing a press conference as part of the Jan Ashirwad Yatra in the adjoining Raigad district.
Read: Narayan Rane approaches Bombay HC against FIRs; seeks protection from arrest
Earlier on Tuesday, Rane defended his remarks against Thackeray, claiming that he was right and that he has "not committed any crime."
“You should verify and show it on TV or else I will file a case against you (media). Despite not committing any crime, the media is showing speculative news about my 'imminent' arrest. Do you think I am a normal (ordinary) man?” Rane warned the media hours before his arrest.
BJP office attacked
Worked up over Rane's remarks, Shiv Sena workers put out posters across Mumbai and other places, with disparaging remarks with reference to the poultry business of Rane. About fifty years ago, Rane ran a poultry shop in Mumbai's Chembur and he was also associated with the Bal Thackeray-led party back then. Protests erupted in various cities across Maharashtra against Rane.
BJP's party office in Amaravati faced the wrath of Sena workers who vandalised the building and set fire to the posters adorning the structure's facade.
Security was beefed up outside Rane's residence in Mumbai to avert any untoward incidents.
High Court refuses to hear advance bail plea
Rane had approached the HC challenging the FIRs registered against him in parts of Maharashtra over his remarks against Thackeray, and sought protection from arrest.
A mention was made by the advocates before a division bench comprising SS Shinde and NJ Jamadarm, requesting an urgent hearing on Tuesday itself. However, the bench turned down the request, directing that an application be filed with the HC's Registry department.
"Everyone has to go through the process. Don't make us do the job of the Registry," the Bench observed.
Earlier in the day, a district court in Ratnagiri had rejected Rane's anticipatory bail application.
