Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde heads to Delhi for ‘important meet’

AURANGABAD: Chief minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday evening flew to Delhi after attending a public meeting in Aurangabad, even as rebel Shiv Sena leader Abdul Sattar claimed that the state cabinet expansion would take place on August 3.
Shinde is on a two-day tour of Aurangabad, and he reached Mahalgaon in Vaijapur assembly constituency — represented by rebel MLA Ramesh Bornare — on Saturday evening. During his speech, Shinde said that he was winding up his address early as he has to head to Delhi for an important meeting.
When contacted, Sillod MLA and former minister Abdul Sattar said, “Our cabinet expansion is scheduled for August 3. The CM might have gone to Delhi for final discussions on this matter.”
He said that soon after the meeting, CM is scheduled to return to Aurangabad in the early hours of Sunday. “We have been informed that there will be no change in his day-long schedule at Aurangabad. The CM, after holding review meeting with administration, will head to Sillod where he’ll address a mega gathering,” said Sattar.
Shinde has scheduled a series of meetings in the constituencies and offices of the rebel MLAs. The Shinde camp has claimed of organising an unprecedentedly large gathering at Sillod for the CM’s maiden visit of the district as well as the region.
Before leaving for Delhi, Shinde assured all funds and support to Vaijapur constituency. He said he was grateful to Bornare for having faith in him and for contributing his bit in formation of the new government. “Balasaheb taught us to fight against injustice and we followed this teachings. Our fight was for Hindutva, for the ideas of Balasaheb and for truth and justice to the people and this state. Many people had doubts about our success, but true Shiv Sainiks of Balasaheb made it possible,” said Shinde.