Expelled Shiv Sena leader Narayan Rane on Monday said he will formally join the Congress on July 28.

He had earlier met Congress president Sonia Gandhi [Images] in Delhi on July 22 and indicated that he will join her party.

Rane said thousands of his supporters would join the Congress along with him.

The former chief minister said he would work in the Congress with the same dedication as he did in the Shiv Sena.

"I decided to join Congress keeping in mind the interest of the state and Konkan region," Rane said, adding, senior people in Congress party would cooperate with him.

(A banner near St Michael's Church welcomes Rane into the Congress party.)

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda