Rumour of defection as Gorhe meets CM

MUMBAI: Deputy leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) and deputy chairperson of legislative council Nilam Gorhe met chief minister Eknath Shinde on Friday, triggering speculation that she may join the rival faction to save her chair in the upper house. Gorhe, however, said she was committed to the Uddhav Thackerayled party for her life.

The Sena leader is believably unhappy with the leadership, especially after being denied a cabinet berth during the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime.

“Currently, 14 seats in the 78-member council are vacant. Twelve of them are to be filled from Governor quota, which are generally nominated by the ruling parties. If these appointments are done, the ruling alliance’s combined strength will exceed that of MVA. In such a scenario, a resolution may be brought in to remove Gorhe. On the other hand, she can remain in the chair if she sides with Shinde,” a leader from the Thackeray-led Sena said.

Though Gorhe is not considered a leader with a mass base, for Shinde, her joining the party could help in another task — staking claim over the Shiv Sena name and poll symbol. A case to this effect is pending before the Election Commission.

HT PHOTO Nilam Gorhe