Nitesh Narayan Rane
{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Nitesh Narayan Rane
| image = File:Nitesh rane at ministry meeting (cropped).jpg
| caption = Nitesh rane at cabinet meeting 2025
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1982|6|23}}
| birth_place = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| residence = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| office = Cabinet Minister
Government of Maharashtra
| subterm = Cabinet
| suboffice = Third Fadnavis ministry
| minister = *Fisheries
| term_start = 15 December 2024
| term_end =
| 1blankname = Chief Minister
| 1namedata = Devendra Fadnavis
| 2blankname = Deputy CM
| 2namedata = *Eknath Shinde
| 3blankname = Guardian Minister
| 3namedata = Sindhudurg district
| governor = C. P. Radhakrishnan
| predecessor =
| successor =
| office1 = Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
| term_start1 = 2009
| predecessor1 = Pramod Jathar
| successor1 =
| constituency1 = Kankavli
| party = Bharatiya Janata Party (2019-present)
Indian National Congress (until 2019)
| religion =
| spouse = {{marriage|Rutuja Rane|2007}}
| children =
| citizenship = India
| relations = Narayan Rane {{small|(father)}}
Nilesh Rane {{small|(brother)}}
| website =
| footnotes =
| date =
| year =
| source =
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Politician
}}
Nitesh Narayan Rane (born 23 June 1982) is Cabinet minister in Government of Maharastra and a member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the Kankavli vidhansabha constituency. He is the head of the non-governmental organisation "Swabhiman Sanghatana"{{Cite news |last=Deshpande |first=Alok |date=27 September 2017 |title=Swabhiman Sanghatana to be Rane’s launchpad: sources |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/swabhiman-sanghatana-to-be-ranes-launchpad-sources/article19764756.ece/ |access-date=30 December 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} and a son of former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Nitesh-Rane-His-father-s-son/Article1-604317.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128035344/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Nitesh-Rane-His-father-s-son/Article1-604317.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 November 2011 |title=Nitesh Rane: His father's son |author=Jore, Dharmendra |location=Mumbai |publisher=Hindustan Times |date= 25 September 2010 |access-date=4 April 2013}}{{cite news |last1= |first1= |date=24 October 2019 |title=The 10 BJP dynasts who have won in Maharashtra |url=https://m.rediff.com/news/2019/oct/24the-10-bjp-dynasts-who-have-won-in-maharashtra-election.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130063752/https://m.rediff.com/news/2019/oct/24the-10-bjp-dynasts-who-have-won-in-maharashtra-election.htm |archive-date=30 November 2024 |access-date=30 November 2024 |publisher=Rediff |language=en}}
Early life
Nitesh Rane was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) to Neelam Rane and Narayan Rane, a senior leader from Maharashtra on 23 June 1982.{{cite web | url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/2012072020120720021122984433d283c/Birthday-hoardings-get-Nitesh-Rane-in-trouble-with-BMC.html | title=Birthday hoardings get Nitesh Rane in trouble with BMC | publisher=Mumbai Mirror | date=20 July 2012 | access-date=4 April 2013 | author=Devasia, Sanjeev}}{{cite web | url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/target-youth-nitesh-rane-unveils-agenda/480436/0 | title=Target youth: Nitesh Rane unveils agenda | publisher=Indian Express | date=24 June 2009 | access-date=4 April 2013}} He is an MBA professional and studied in the United Kingdom along with his elder brother Nilesh. He returned to India to enter politics and help his father when his father decided to quit Shiv Sena in 2005 and join Congress.
Personal life
Nitesh Rane married Rutuja Shinde on 28 November 2010. The wedding ceremony took place at the Hotel Grand Hyatt, Mumbai and the reception was held at Royal Western India Turf Club.{{cite web | url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/2010112920101129020200790521cb30b/Nitesh-Rane%E2%80%99s-glowing-bride.html | title=Nitesh Rane's glowing bride | publisher=Mumbai Mirror | date=29 November 2010 | access-date=5 April 2013 | author=Shinde, Raju}}{{cite web | url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/nov/281110-nitesh-rane-wedding.htm | title=700 chefs, 20,000 invitees for big fat Rane wedding |publisher=Mid-Day| date=28 November 2010 | access-date=5 April 2013 |first1=Varun |last1=Singh |first2=Urvashi |last2=Seth |first3=Shadab |last3=Khan}}{{cite web | url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/nov/281110-Nitesh-Rane-Turf-Club-Narayan-reception-Wedding-crashers.htm | title=Wedding crashers trash Nitesh Rane's reception |publisher=Mid-Day| date=29 November 2010 | access-date=5 April 2013}}
Career
=Swabhiman Sanghatana=
Rane started his career by founding Swabhiman Sanghatana which raises social issues in areas of youth unemployment, health services, basic amenities throughout Maharashtra, and mainly in Mumbai.{{cite web | url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/if-raj-thackeray-is-kingmaker-i-will-be-minikingmaker-nitesh-rane/909711/0 | title=If Raj Thackeray is kingmaker, I will be mini-kingmaker: Nitesh Rane | publisher=Indian Express | date=9 February 2012 | access-date=5 April 2013 | author=Iyer, Kavitha}} He was also the general secretary of Youth Congress, Mumbai but resigned from his post in December 2008 because of the conflict between him and other local Congress leaders. At the onset of summer of 2010, the organisation launched a toll free helpline where citizens could register their complaints against the private water supply tankers. Rane stated that the private tankers charged exorbitant prices ranging from anything between 6 and 25 times the rate set by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1357734/report-nitesh-rane-launches-toll-free-number-to-fight-mumbai-s-water-mafia | title=Nitesh Rane launches toll-free number to fight Mumbai's water mafia | publisher=DNA | date=10 March 2010 | access-date=4 April 2013}}{{cite web | url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cut-water-price-or-face-the-music-nitesh-rane-tells-private-tankers/589332 | title=Cut water price or face the music, Nitesh Rane tells private tankers | publisher=Indian Express | date=11 March 2010 | access-date=5 April 2013}} He blamed the Shiv Sena-BJP administered BMC for their failure to curb "water-mafia".{{cite web | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Nitesh-Rane-sets-up-water-Helpline-claims-BMC-S-is-a-failure/Article1-517598.aspx | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629113537/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Nitesh-Rane-sets-up-water-Helpline-claims-BMC-S-is-a-failure/Article1-517598.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=29 June 2013 | title=Nitesh Rane sets up water Helpline, claims BMC'S is a failure | publisher=Hindustan Times | date=11 March 2010 | access-date=5 April 2013}}
Politics
He contested from Kankavli vidhansabha constituency in 2014 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election and won by margin of over 25,000 votes.{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/assembly-elections-2015/story/maharashtra-assembly-poll-results-bjp-shiv-sena-ncp-congress-223847-2014-10-19|title=Results of Maharashtra Assembly polls 2014|last1=India Today|date=19 October 2014|accessdate=20 November 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120080656/https://www.indiatoday.in/assembly-elections-2015/story/maharashtra-assembly-poll-results-bjp-shiv-sena-ncp-congress-223847-2014-10-19|archive-date=20 November 2022|language=en}}
=Other works=
In September 2012, he co-founded Maharashtra Kalanidhi (MKN) with Anant Panshikar to support Marathi theatre and cinema.{{cite web |date=31 August 2012 |title=Rane- Panshikar's 'Maharashtra Kalanidhi' aims to support Marathi Theatre... |url=http://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/dramas/Articles/12/aug/31-rane-panshikars-maharashtra-kalanidhi-aims-to-support-marathi-theatre.asp |access-date=4 April 2013 |publisher=Mumbai Theatre Guide}} The initiative also aided the production of Duniyadari (2013).{{cite web |date=19 December 2012 |title=Nitesh Rane bails out Marathi filmmaker |url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/wire-news/nitesh-rane-bails-out-marathi-filmmaker_797385.html |access-date=5 April 2013 |publisher=Money Control}}
In February 2012, he launched the Sindhudurg Tour Guide, a training program to create job opportunities for local youth in tourism in the Sindhudurg district.{{cite web |date=13 June 2012 |title=Sindhudurg Darshan in rains through a 'Sindhudurg Guide' by Nitesh Rane |url=http://www.apnnews.com/2012/06/13/sindhudurg-darshan-in-rains-through-a-sindhudurg-guide-by-nitesh-rane/ |access-date=30 April 2014 |publisher=apnnews.com}}{{cite web |date=13 June 2012 |title=The Sindhudurg Guide launches 4 products and services for travellers on World Tourism Day |url=http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/the-sindhudurg-guide-launches-4-products-and-services-for-travellers-on-world-tourism-day-17893 |access-date=29 September 2012 |publisher=travelbizmonitor.com}} In February 2014, he launched Naukri Express, a mobile job office that travels across Maharashtra, connecting job seekers with local employers.{{cite web |date=18 February 2014 |title=Nitesh Rane's hiring booth-on-wheels for Maharashtra |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nitesh-rane-maharashtra-naukri-express-employment-jobs-swabhimaan-sanghatana/1/344248.html |access-date=18 February 2014 |publisher=India Today}}
= Controversies=
Late in 2009, he protested the release of the Marathi film Zenda as one character in it "Sada Malwankar" resembled his father Narayan Rane, who was the then Minister of Revenue for the state. The producer-director of the film Avdhoot Gupte had to re-shoot and re-dub few scenes and also change the character's name to "Sada Panvalkar" thus removing the connection of Rane family with their hometown Malvan.{{cite web | url=http://screen.indianexpress.com/news/zenda-abohomann-to-release-on-january-22/569196/ | title=Zenda, Abohomann to release on January 22 | publisher=Screen India | date=22 January 2010 | access-date=5 April 2013}}
In 2010, Chintu Shaikh, a small businessman who runs a medical store in Vikhroli, filed an F.I.R. against Rane under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code for attempted murder. Shaikh claimed that Rane had fired two rounds at him. But the prima facie medical report called the injury to be sustained by some "sharp object" and not bullets.{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Cops-pick-holes-in-Nitesh-Rane-shooting-case/articleshow/6623461.cms | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629133847/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-25/mumbai/28260669_1_son-and-defame-narayan-rane-bullet-marks | url-status=live | archive-date=29 June 2013 | title=Cops pick holes in Nitesh Rane 'shooting' case | date=25 September 2010 | access-date=5 April 2013 | author=Singh, Vijay V. | work=The Times of India |location=Mumbai}} With further investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) gave clean chit to Rane in 2012. The case was transferred to CBI from police when Shaikh filed a petition in Bombay High Court claiming that police were wrongfully protecting Rane.{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/CBI-gives-clean-chit-to-Rane-Junior-in-shooting-case/articleshow/12447931.cms | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629122356/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-29/mumbai/31254205_1_chintu-shaikh-nitesh-rane-clean-chit | url-status=live | archive-date=29 June 2013 | title=CBI gives clean chit to Rane Junior in shooting case | date=29 March 2012 | access-date=5 April 2013 | work=The Times of India |location=Mumbai}}
In March 2010, he launched water mafia helpline to tackle water mafia in Mumbai. He also warned the tanker association to lower their prices, and claimed that the BMC has done nothing to curb the city's water mafia.{{cite web | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mumbai/nitesh-rane-sets-up-water-helpline-claims-bmc-s-is-a-failure/article1-517598.aspx | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140702094901/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mumbai/nitesh-rane-sets-up-water-helpline-claims-bmc-s-is-a-failure/article1-517598.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=2 July 2014 | title=Nitesh Rane sets up water Helpline, claims BMC'S is a failure | publisher=Hindustan Times | date=11 March 2010 | access-date=1 July 2014}} In 2011, Rane claimed that the water mafia sells water to poor people at high rates and Sena-BJP are running the water mafia. In a move against water mafia his organisation team along with him destroyed an illegal pipeline that water mafia has built in Thane from which 10 lakh litres of water was being stolen every day.{{cite web | url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/mid-days-water-mafia-expose-nitesh-rane-gets-into-the-act/132456 | title=MiD DAY's water mafia expose: Nitesh Rane gets into the act | work=Mid-Day | date=24 August 2011 | access-date=1 July 2014}}
In 2012, Rane claimed that the Election Commission of India should close the stall of Vada pav run by Shiv Sena, just in the manner it had ordered covering of statues of Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh. He deemed these stalls as "promotional activity" of Shiv Sena in the light of upcoming elections of BMC.{{cite web | url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cover-all-sena-vada-pav-stalls-also-nitesh-rane/898320 | title=Cover all Sena vada pav stalls also: Nitesh Rane | publisher=Indian Express | date=11 January 2012 | access-date=5 April 2013}} Earlier in 2011 BMC had threatened to demolish illegal stalls, including those set by Swabhiman Sanghatana. BMC had then removed Shiv Sena's stalls also after Rane warned BMC for partial behaviour.{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1562678/report-vada-pav-wars-bmc-removes-shiv-sena-s-stalls-after-nitesh-rane-s-warning | title=Vada pav wars: BMC removes Shiv Sena's stalls after Nitesh Rane's warning | publisher=DNA | date=5 July 2011 | access-date=5 April 2013}}
In 2012, he was warned by BMC for displaying huge hoardings and banners on the occasion of his birthday by his followers. In response he stated that the banners were already removed by them and that BMC was targeting Nitesh Rane while turning a blind eye on banners of Shiv Sena.
On 3 December 2013, he was detained by police for allegedly damaging toll booth and assaulting workers at a toll plaza in Goa.{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-narayan-rane-s-son-nitesh-rane-detained-for-toll-booth-damage-1929108 |title=Narayan Rane's son Nitesh Rane detained for toll booth damage |publisher=Dnaindia |date= 3 December 2013|access-date=3 December 2013}}
In 2013-14, Rane was in news for his tweets against Narendra Modi and Gujarati people inhabiting Mumbai,{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1869070/report-now-nitesh-rane-plays-marathi-manoos-card-targets-gujaratis-in-mumbai-who-praise-narendra-modi |title=Now, Nitesh Rane plays Marathi manoos card, targets Gujaratis in Mumbai who praise Narendra Modi - Mumbai - DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date= 2 August 2013|access-date=5 August 2013}}{{cite web|author= |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gujaratis-who-praise-Narendra-Modi-should-leave-Mumbai-Nitesh-Rane/articleshow/21549035.cms |title=Gujaratis who praise Narendra Modi should leave Mumbai: Nitesh Rane |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2 August 2013 |access-date=12 May 2014}} demanding they leave Mumbai{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/Gujaratis-who-praise-Narendra-Modi-should-leave-city-Nitesh-Rane/articleshow/21538744.cms |title=Gujaratis who praise Narendra Modi should leave city: Nitesh Rane |publisher=Mumbai Mirror |date=2 August 2013 |access-date=12 May 2014}} and stated to take action against them.{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-has-congress-nitesh-rane-lost-it-makes-xenophobic-comments-on-twitter-against-gujarati-community-in-mumbai-to-target-narendra-modi-1982734 |title='Has Congress' Nitesh Rane lost it? Makes xenophobic comments on Twitter against Gujarati community in Mumbai to target Narendra Modi |publisher=DNA India |date= 27 April 2014|access-date=27 April 2014}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west/story/nitesh-rane-wants-mumbai-cleaned-of-gujjus-226141-2014-11-06|title=Nitesh Rane wants Mumbai cleaned of 'Gujjus'|date=7 November 2014 |magazine=India Today}}{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Congress-leader-Nitesh-Rane-wants-Mumbai-cleaned-of-Gujaratis-draws-criticism/articleshow/45059924.cms|title=Congress leader Nitesh Rane wants Mumbai 'cleaned of Gujaratis', draws criticism|website=The Times of India}}{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Want-to-first-clean-Mumbai-off-Gujaratis-Nitesh-Rane/articleshow/45063832.cms|title=Want to first clean Mumbai off Gujaratis: Nitesh Rane|website=The Times of India}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-mlas-remark-against-gujarati-community-sparks-controversy/article6571195.ece|title=Congress MLA's tweet against Gujaratis triggers controversy|first=Alok|last=Deshpande|date=6 November 2014|newspaper=The Hindu}}
In 2017, Rane was arrested for assaulting a government official by throwing fish at him.{{cite news |agency=PTI |title=Maharashtra Congress MLA Nitesh Rane arrested for throwing fish at government officer |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/maharashtra-congress-mla-nitesh-rane-arrested-for-throwing-fish-at-government-officer/759746/ |access-date=17 August 2020 |work=The Financial Express |date=12 July 2017}}
In July 2019, Rane was arrested for assaulting a government deputy engineer.{{cite news |title=Mud attack: Congress MLA Nitesh Rane arrested for assaulting government official |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mud-attack-congress-mla-nitesh-rane-arrested-for-assaulting-government-official/articleshow/70075996.cms |access-date=24 July 2019 |work=The Times of India |date=4 July 2019 |language=en}}
In December 2021, he came into limelight in a controversy where he derided Aditya Thakrey with the sound of cat while protesting outside Legislative Assembly.{{Cite web|title=Nitesh Rane mocks Aaditya Thackeray, makes 'meow' sounds as Shiv Sena leader enters Maha Assembly - VIDEO|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/maharashtra-news/article/nitesh-rane-mocks-aaditya-thackeray-makes-meow-sounds-as-shiv-sena-leader-enters-maha-assembly-video/843159}}
In December 2024, he called Kerala "mini-Pakistan". Later, he clarified that "Kerala is very much part of India" after controversy.{{Cite web|title=Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane calls Kerala a 'mini-Pak', clarifies after backlash|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-minister-nitesh-rane-calls-kerala-a-mini-pak-clarifies-after-backlash-101735549085792.html}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Nitesh Narayan Rane}}
- {{Official website|www.niteshnrane.com}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rane, Nitesh}}
Category:Politicians from Mumbai
Category:People from Sindhudurg district
Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2014–2019
Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2024–2029
Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Maharashtra
Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Maharashtra
Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2019–2024