Another Jolt To Uddhav Thackeray As Nephew Extends Support To CM Eknath Shinde

Nihar Thackeray will start his political journey under the CM's leadership, a statement from Shinde's office said.

Nihar Thackeray with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Source: Twitter)

In another jolt to Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, his nephew Nihar Thackeray met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday and extended his support to him, PTI reported. Nihar Thackeray will start his political journey under the CM's leadership, a statement from Shinde's office said.

Nihar Thackeray is the son of late Bindumadhav Thackeray, the eldest son of Sena founder Bal Thackeray. He works as an advocate in Mumbai. His father, Bindumadhav, died in an accident in 1996.

Nihar Thackeray, who has stayed away from politics so far, is married to the daughter of BJP leader and former state minister Harshvardhan Patil.

The development is significant as Nihar became the first member from the Thackeray family to extend support to the new Maharashtra CM.

Nihar Thackeray's meeting with Shinde comes days after Bal Thackeray's daughter-in-law and film producer Smita Thackeray held talks with the Maharashtra Chief Minister. Smita Thackeray said Shinde was an "old-timer" Sena activist.

READ | 'Eknath Shinde Is Old Timer Shivsainik': Bal Thackeray’s Daughter-In-Law Meets Maharashtra CM

However, she had called it a courtesy visit and said was not related to politics. She met Shinde at the 'Sahyadri' government guest house in south Mumbai.

"Eknath Shinde is an old Shivsainik who has become the chief minister. I came here to congratulate him. I know him and his work for the last many years. It was a courtesy meeting. We have been knowing each other for a long time so I met him," she told reporters.

"I am not into politics. I know nothing about it," Smita further said.

Last month, Shinde's rebellion against Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray with 39 MLAs led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. On June 30, Shinde was sworn in as CM and Bharatiya Janata Party's Devendra Fadnavis as the Deputy CM.