Nearly three weeks after the Maharashtra Assembly election results, the Mahayuti coalition, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is grappling with internal discord as the cabinet expansion remains in limbo. Tensions have escalated between the BJP and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction over portfolio allocations, threatening to disrupt the alliance's stability.
While Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar held meetings with senior leaders in Delhi on Wednesday, Shinde's conspicuous absence has fueled speculation about internal strife. Reports indicate that cabinet expansion was the central topic of discussion during their engagements with Union ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah. However, Shinde, dissatisfied with recent developments, chose to remain in Thane.
BJP Intervenes to Address Grievances
BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule visited Shinde in Thane in an attempt to mediate. Bawankule reportedly facilitated a conversation between Shinde and Fadnavis to address grievances, particularly regarding portfolio distribution. Shinde's Shiv Sena faction has been lobbying intensively for key ministerial positions, with demands including the Home, Revenue, and Urban Development portfolios. Sources suggest that the Urban Development portfolio was promised to Shinde during earlier negotiations, adding to the friction.
To appease his MLAs, Shinde is reportedly advocating for a rotational portfolio system, granting two-and-a-half-year terms to different groups. However, some MLAs within his faction have criticized the lackluster performance of previous ministers and are pushing for fresh faces in the cabinet.
Pawar's Growing Influence
Observers note that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar?s proximity to the BJP could be a strategic counterbalance to Shinde's demands. Shinde is reportedly unhappy with the BJP's exclusion of his close allies, including Sanjay Rathod, Tanaji Sawant, and Abdul Sattar, from ministerial considerations. This dissatisfaction is rooted in a performance evaluation of ministers who served under Shinde's leadership from June 2022 until the recent elections.
Cabinet Expansion Crucial Before Winter Session
The cabinet expansion is critical, with the winter session of the state legislature set to begin on December 16 in Nagpur. The Mahayuti coalition faces mounting pressure to finalize the cabinet and ensure smooth governance. Shinde?s absence from the power corridors of Delhi has been interpreted by political analysts as either a sign of discontent or a calculated move to assert his demands.
A decisive Mahayuti meeting scheduled for Thursday is expected to shed light on the impasse and determine whether the coalition can resolve its internal differences to present a united front.
As the Mahayuti coalition navigates these turbulent waters, all eyes remain on the power dynamics between the BJP, Shinde's Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar?s NCP.
