MUMBAI, Sept 7: Following their deliberations with senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar, rebel Shiv Sena leaders Ganesh Naik, Gulabrao Gawande and Suresh Navale have decided not to push ahead with their toppling agenda, but to let Manohar Joshi Government fall under the weight of its ``internal contradictions''.They have decided to hold a series of public meetings in September and October against the State Government. The first rally will be held at Akola, Gawande's home town.
A rebel leader told The Indian Express today that he was counting on the support of 30 Sena Legislators. He said, ``Under no circumstance will any of them join the Congress or ask for Shiv Sena nomination in the next Assembly elections.''
He hastened to add that ``at an appropriate time, we would form a separate group to facilitate negotiations.''
According to an agency report from Nagpur, Pawar has denied that Sena rebels were invited by the All India Congress Committee.
He also denied discussing State politics withthem.
Pawar said that the Sena rebels had come to Pachmarhi on a private visit since he ``could not find time to meet them in Delhi or Mumbai''.
However, Pawar declined to reveal what he discussed with them.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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