Nilesh is the son of union cabinet minister Narayan Rane.
His brother, Nitesh Narayan Rane, represents Kankavli constituency in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
Nilesh Rane was elected to 15th Lok Sabha of India from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg constituency of Maharashtra as a member of Indian National Congress (INC).
Rane contested from same constituency for a seat in 16th Lok Sabha, but lost to Sena's candidate Vinayak Raut.
[1] In 2024 he switched over to Shiv Sena[2][3] from BJP to contest as Maha Yuti candidate in 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election from Kudal Assembly constituency which he won that seat by a margin of 8,176 votes.