Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with senior party leaders at the Mayor’s bungalow in Shivaji Park to discuss Sena names in the proposed Cabinet expansion and the issue of a memorial site for late Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray whose third death anniversary falls on November 17.
A senior Sena leader revealed that the leaders also discussed the proposed statewide tour of party chief Mr Thackeray from December 5, the stressed relations with BJP and the way BJP ministers treat Sena ministers in the Cabinet.
The leader said that the Sena is likely to fill two vacant berths in its quota. However, there are five contenders for the two Cabinet berths, including senior MLC Dr Neelam Gorhe (Pune), Gulabrao Patil (Jalgaon Rural), Arjun Khotkar (Jalna), Dr Sujit Minchekar (Hatkanangale) and Rajesh Kshirsagar (Kolhapur North). The names of Mr Khotkar and Mr Patil are likely to be considered.
Besides this, the party discussed the pressing issue of finding a suitable plot of land in Mumbai for the proposed grand memorial to be built in memory of late Sena chief Bal Thackeray. Preparations for the third death anniversary of the late Sena chief, which will be observed at Shivaji Park, Dadar were also discussed. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had already agreed to approve the site selected by the Sena for the proposed memorial in Mumbai.
At a recent Sena meeting, the party had authorised the party president to take the final decision on Cabinet expansion and other issues. Sources said that Mr Fadnavis, after returning from his London visit, is likely to meet Sena president Uddhav at his Matoshree residence to discuss the Cabinet expansion issue.
