Tensions have flared between the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena over the coveted Raigad district guardian minister's post, with Shiv Sena MLA and Maharashtra minister Bharat Gogawale accusing NCP state president Sunil Tatkare of opposing his bid for the position.

Gogawale, while speaking to reporters on Monday, claimed that Tatkare is trying to block his appointment as Raigad’s guardian minister, a post that has become a point of contention within the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. He asserted that the final decision regarding the post will soon be made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde, and NCP leader Ajit Pawar.

However, the NCP dismissed Gogawale’s accusations, calling them baseless, and urged Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde to rein in what they termed as "motormouth" leaders. The dispute has escalated following a conflict between Gogawale and NCP Minister Aditi Tatkare, Sunil Tatkare’s daughter. The friction led to Chief Minister Fadnavis putting a hold on the allotment of the post to Aditi Tatkare.

Gogawale emphasized that the controversy stemmed from a different issue altogether, adding, “Eknath Shinde had proposed my name for the guardian minister post. We worked tirelessly for the alliance candidate Sunil Tatkare during the Lok Sabha elections and ensured there were no mistakes in our efforts.”

The Raigad guardian minister’s post, crucial for local governance, remains a contentious issue within the alliance, with both Shiv Sena and NCP trying to assert their influence.