Anil Parab named Shiv Sena’s group leader in Council

Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab was named the party group leader in the legislative Council on Friday.

Legislators from the party met Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday, expressing unhappiness over the non-performance of Sena ministers and unequal distribution of development funds by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government, leading to a buzz that organisational changes are on the cards.

Parab replaced transport minister Diwakar Raote, who was made the party’s group leader in the Council in 2008.

There was speculation that Raote may lose his ministerial berth.

However, Thackeray said a decision on a reshuffle would be taken at an appropriate time.

Meanwhile, the Sena ministers also met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the distribution of funds.

Eknath Shinde, public works department (public undertaking) minister and party group leader in the Legislature, said the meeting was “positive”.

“We have formed a committee to look into the distribution of funds for both the parties,” Shinde told HT.

Last week, a group of ministers led by Shinde met Fadnavis over the same issue.

Shinde said Parab’s appoint ment should not be viewed as an organisational change. “It is the prerogative of the party presi dent [Thackeray] to make the changes,” Shinde said.