New Delhi: The Congress today gave indications that former Maharashtra
chief minister Narayan Rane, who was expelled from the Shiv Sena,
would be welcome in the Congress.

"There is absolutely no problem from my side... there has been no such
proposal as yet. If there is one, we will certainly consider it,"
party general secretary Margaret Alva told reporters, when asked
whether Rane was welcome to the party.

Replying to a question, she said that there would not be any
bitterness in the party's relationship with the NCP if Rane decided to
join the Sharad Pawar-led party.

In the party briefing, party spokesman Anand Sharma ruled out any
change in the complexion of the Congress-led coalition in Maharashtra
if Rane and his supporters were admitted to the NCP, thereby raising
the tally of the Pawar-led party.

Sharma said the developments in the Shiv Sena which showed that the
party was heading for a split indicated that allies of the BJP in the
NDA were also "afflicted by the disease" of differences and
dissensions of the saffron party.