Former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane, expelled recently from the Shiv Sena, is likely to visit Vidarbha later this week to garner support in the region.
According to reliable sources, Rane's Vidarbha visit on July 22 is on an invitation from Legislator Vijay Wadettiwar.
Rane will arrive at Nagpur from Mumbai by air on Friday morning. He will preside over a meeting of his supporters in Nagpur and later proceed to Chimur, Wadettiwar's hometown, by road. He will return to Nagpur by road the same evening and return to Mumbai by the evening flight.
In Chimur, Rane will inaugurate Wadettiwar's Shivani dairy. Wadettiwar and another legislator Prakash Bharsakale were among those who backed Rane till the last moment when he rebelled against the party leadership.
A section of the Shiv Sena in the region is opposed to Subodh Mohite, the member of Parliament from Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency and the Shiv Sena's contact chief for Nagpur.
This lobby, which is considered close to Sanjay Nirupam, has become active with Rane's rebellion. The group is expected to support Rane now.
A meeting of the anti-Mohite group was held at the residence of Wadettiwar in Nagpur a few days ago. The group is understood to have decided to throw its lot behind Rane.
The news of Rane's impending visit to Vidarbha has created a sensation in political circles in the region, especially in the Shiv Sena. Top functionaries have instructed the local leadership to keep a close watch on the visit and identify the rebels.
Rane's visit is being taken seriously, in contrast to a visit by Nirupam a few weeks ago. This is so because Rane is considered a taller leader in stature than Nirupam.
Central India News Service
More from rediff