The Vidarbha visit of former chief minister Narayan Rane, recently expelled from the Shiv Sena, scheduled for Friday, has been put off.

Rane was in New Delhi on Friday to meet the top brass of the Congress to discuss his entry into the party. As a result, he cancelled his visit to Vidarbha at the last moment.

According to sources, Rane will now visit Vidarbha only after his formal entry into the Congress.

• Rane to visit Vidharbha to garner support

Rane was to visit Vidarbha on an invitation from legislator Vijay Wadettiwar. He was to preside over a meeting of his supporters in Nagpur and later proceed to Chimur to inaugurate Wadettiwar's Shivani Dairy.

Wadettiwar and another MLA from the region, Prakash Bharsakale, were among those who backed Rane till the last moment when he rebelled against the party leadership.

A section of the Shiv Sena in the region, opposed to Subodh Mohite, the member of Parliament from Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency, has become active with Rane's rebellion. This group is expected to support Rane.

Central India News Service