Political temperatures continue to rise within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance, as a widening rift between the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) becomes increasingly visible. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the rebel Shiv Sena faction, has been noticeably distancing himself from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, fueling speculation of internal discord.
Shinde’s Absence Raises Eyebrows
On Wednesday, Shinde was expected to attend a major government event at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan—a programme centred on the implementation of the newly enacted criminal laws. While Chief Minister Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar were present, Shinde’s decision to skip the event despite being formally invited triggered fresh controversy.
Although no official explanation was provided, sources indicate that Shinde is deeply upset over the BJP allegedly engineering defections from his party in Dombivli, a key political stronghold. The defection of several Shiv Sena Shinde camp leaders to the BJP has reportedly caused tension within the alliance.
Boycott of Cabinet Meeting Adds to Strain
The strain became more evident after several ministers from the Shinde faction refused to attend Tuesday’s cabinet meeting. Their absence was seen as a coordinated show of protest. Instead of participating, the ministers waited at Fadnavis’ office and later met the chief minister to express their dissatisfaction.
According to insiders, the discontent is not limited to defections. The Opposition has claimed that the real friction stems from negotiations over seat-sharing in the upcoming local body elections, suggesting that Shinde’s party feels shortchanged by its stronger ally.
Shinde Heads to Delhi Amid Alliance Turmoil
Adding to the buzz, Eknath Shinde has travelled to New Delhi, where he is expected to hold discussions with senior BJP leadership. The meeting is likely to focus on addressing the rising friction within the alliance and resolving the disputes that threaten to overshadow the Mahayuti’s internal cohesion.
