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Dalit faction may back Shiv Sena

A new political equation is emerging in Maharashtra with a faction of the Dalit Panther movement throwing its lot with the ruling Shiv Sena party.

The seems to be imminent if the Dalit Panther silver jubilee function scheduled on Friday at Pune is any indication.

Chief Minister Manohar Joshi will inaugurate the function organised by the faction led by dalit poet Namdeo Dhasal. The latter has hailed the chief minister as a leader who ''believed in taking all sections of society together''.

Dhasal, who was till recently considered a staunch Congress supporter, has fallen out with the Republican Party of India leadership.

He said Shiv Sena youth leader Uddhav Thackeray, son of party chief Bal Thackeray, will be chief guest at the function.

The invitation extended to Thackeray indicates the dalits's conciliatory approach to seek a solution to the burning problems confronting the community.

Transport Minister Chandrakant Khaire, former Congress MP Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil whose son is agriculture minister in state cabinet, and several literary personalities including Dilip Chitre, Sukanya Apte, Shaila Satpute, Anant Kulkarni and Dadasaheb Mokashi are special invitees at the function.

Over 5,000 Dalit Panthers from all over the state will attend the meeting.

UNI

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