Maharashtra CM Ekanth Shinde's 'darshan diplomacy' creates flutter in Shiv Sena circles

MUMBAI: With CM Ekanth Shinde visiting several homes for Ganpati darshan, his 'Ganpati diplomacy' has created a flutter in political circles and led to speculation as he has used the festival not only to reach out to Shiv Sena rivals and old-time loyalists like Sena veteran Manohar Joshi and Uddhav Thackeray's PA Milind Narvekar but also the likes of ex-Sena leaders like MNS chief Raj Thackeray and union minister and BJP leader Narayan Rane.
From the Uddhav Thackeray faction, former minister Aaditya Thackeray has led the Ganpati darshan trail and visited homes of several Sena MLAs and former corporators as well.
Shinde said after visiting Rane's home, "I came here today for darshan. During the meeting, many old memories came alive. He (Narayan Rane) told me about his experiences when he was chief minister. After all, this is the government of the people, of the common people. There was a discussion about the good can be done for the common people. The memories of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe were brought alive. Is it necessary to talk politically every time? We have not discussed anything political. It was a courtesy call. I came for Ganapati darshan. There has been no political discussion. We have worked with Balasaheb earlier. Working under his leadership, we reached this point."
A day earlier, Shinde had visited the house of Sena secretary Milind Narvekar at the latter's Bandra home. Shinde's visit led to speculation as Narvekar is still with the Uddhav camp and is seen as an Uddhav loyalist. CM Shinde said in a tweet that he visited Narvekar's home for Ganpati darshan. Narvekar had been handpicked by Uddhav Thackeray to go to Surat and urge the rebel Sena MLAs to come back to the Sena fold in June. Narvekar, seen as a staunch Uddhav supporter, is known to have a very good working relationship with CM Shinde.
Shinde on Thursday met Raj Thackeray at the latter's Dadar residence. While an official said Shinde called on Raj on the occasion of Ganpati, this meeting too led to speculation as it came just months ahead of the BMC elections.
Earlier in the week, Shinde also visited the home of industrialist Mukesh Ambani for Ganpati darshan. Political observers said Shinde was trying to reconnect with leaders across party lines and at the same time build bridges with Sena old-timers and Uddhav loyalists.