MUMBAI: Political circles in Maharashtra got a fresh buzz on Friday when Nihar Thackeray, the grandson of Balasaheb Thackeray, extended his support to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Nihar is the son of Bindu Madhav Thackeray, the older brother of Uddhav and Jaidev.
Bindu died in 1996. Nihar does not have a political career and is involved in film production.
Nihar’s meeting with Shinde comes after Smita Thackeray, the former wife of Jaidev, met the CM. MNS chief Raj Thackeray, the cousin of Uddhav, had also extended his support to the Shinde government.
Meanwhile, former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena's deputy leader Arjun Khotkar will join the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction of the party on July 31, a rebel Sena MLA claimed on Friday.
Former minister and MLA from Sillod constituency in Aurangabad district, Abdul Sattar, made this claim while talking to PTI.
Khotkar, who is from Jalna district, was a minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government that was in power between 2014-19.
He was recently promoted to the post of Shiv Sena deputy leader by party president Uddhav Thackeray.
Sattar said, "Khotkar was confused (about joining the rebel camp), but I cleared his confusion. He will now join the Eknath Shinde's camp on July 31 in Sillod. Along with him, the members of local market committee, former corporators will also join Shinde camp."
When asked about his past statement that Sena should field Khotkar against Union minister Raosaheb Danve in the Lok Sabha elections, Sattar said, "Our claim over the Jalna Lok Sabha constituency is still there.
But Danve and other members of his party should give a go-ahead.
The political situation in the state has changed now.
(With PTI Inputs)