The Congress in Maharashtra on Wednesday said expelled Shiv Sena leader Narayan Rane is welcome to join the party.

Pointing out that All India Congress Committee general secretary Margaret Alva had already said Rane is welcome in the party,  Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said: "It is up to Rane to take a decision on it."

Speaking at the party office in the presence of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Prabha Rau, Deshmukh said his discussions with Rane on the issue were hopeful.

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When pointed out that Rane had expressed preference for a party whose 'path is smoother,' the chief minister, in a lighter vein, said: "It is difficult to find which path is smoother during the monsoon."

On his statement on Tuesday in the Lower House that the ruling party would stand behind Rane, Deshmukh said the Opposition is trying to isolate Rane in the House and as leader of the ruling alliance he had just extended all support to the former leader of the Opposition.

Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray had  on Sunday expelled veteran Narayan Rane from the party.