Shiv Sena's Anil Desai may join union cabinet

Shiv Sena leader Anil Desai, a member of the Rajya Sabha, is likely to be the party's nominee for a berth in the union cabinet that will be expanded Sunday, party leaders indicated here Saturday.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray is expected to take the final call on Desai's name and make a formal announcement later Saturday evening.

"The Shiv Sena has already sent one name (for inclusion in the union cabinet) but the party leadership will announce it formally later today," party spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told media persons.

The party has been hedging over the issue of recommending two names for inclusion in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet which is being expanded for the first time in six months since he took over.

A low profile, non-controversial performer behind the scenes, the 57-year-old Desai is currently a Rajya Sabha member since April 2012 and rated among the trusted aides of Thackeray.

With this, the Bharatiya Janata Party is hopeful of a positive attitude from the Shiv Sena on the ticklish issue of sharing power in Maharashtra where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will face a crucial floor test of his minority government Nov 12.