Balasaheb Thackeray’s grandson Nihar joins Eknath Shinde group

Mumbai, July 29 (UNI) Nihar Thackeray, a member of the Thackeray political clan, on Friday met and extended support to Shiv Sena rebel and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Nihar Thackeray is the son of the late Bindumadhav Thackeray – who was the eldest son of the Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. He is thus the nephew of ex-CM and Sena President Uddhav Thackeray and a cousin of former state minister Aditya Thackeray. He is married to Ankita, the daughter of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Harshvardhan Patil, and is likely to launch his political career under the tutelage of Shinde. Dismissing the contentions, Shinde said that his government is “strong” as it enjoys two-thirds of support in the Assembly with 166 MLAs on its side, plus 12 Lok Sabha MPs who have given their letters of support. Criticizing the Shinde regime, NCP leader and MLC Amol Mitkari warned that a fresh “political Mahabharat” is likely to erupt in the state next week after the SC judgment is delivered.