The politician's trip is viewed as a significant, political move to induct prominent leaders of Congress and NCP into the party
BJP President Amit Shah
During his first visit to Mumbai, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on September 4, President Amit Shah will induct some of the prominent faces of Congress and NCP into the party. During his daylong visit, Shah, who took over as the BJP chief on July 9, is expected to address party leaders ahead of the state assembly polls, which are scheduled in October.
Amit Shah’s visit comes at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party is demanding more seats from Shiv Sena
Politically-motivated trip?
On Thursday, former union minister Suryakanta Patil and ex-MP Bhaskarrao Patil Khatgaonkar will join BJP in Shah’s presence, party sources said. Earlier it was decided that both the leaders, who hail from Nanded, would join the party in Delhi on September 3 or 5. While Patil is an arch political rival of former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Khatgaonkar is Chavan’s brother-in-law. Former minister Dr Madhavrao Kinhalkar, also a political opponent of Chavan, is expected to join BJP along with Patil and Khatgaonkar.
A senior BJP leader on condition of anonymity, said, “There is a long list of aspirants who want to join BJP but few of them will be inducted on September 4.” It’s not clear whether Shah will meet Shiv Sena party chief Uddhav Thackeray during his visit.
State BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis and leader of opposition in state assembly Eknath Khadse confirmed Shah’s visit to Mumbai but refused to divulge details. Shah’s visit is significant as the BJP is demanding more seats from Shiv Sena, which has led to a deadlock in seat sharing talks.
Last Wednesday night, when senior leaders of BJP and Shiv Sena met, they couldn’t discuss this crucial issue. A BJP leader, on condition of anonymity, said, “The talk between the leaders centred around seats to be offered to four alliance partners of the ‘Mahayuti’.”
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