Amid reports of tensions within the Mahayuti alliance, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday defended Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s move to set up a medical aid cell at Mantralaya, calling it a people-centric initiative.
“There is nothing wrong in the formation of such a cell as its aim is to help people. When I was the deputy chief minister, I had formed a similar cell,” Fadnavis said, addressing speculation about differences within the ruling alliance.
Despite the existence of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), Shinde set up the medical aid cell, which will be headed by his close aide Mangesh Chivate. The move has triggered political chatter amid ongoing disagreements in the alliance, particularly over the appointment of guardian ministers.
However, Shinde dismissed any claims of friction. “There is absolutely no cold war between us. We are united in our fight against those who oppose development. When I was chief minister, on October 31, 2023, then deputy chief minister Fadnavis had founded a similar cell. I have simply reconstituted it with my people overseeing its operations,” he said on Monday.
Mangesh Chivate clarified that the new cell will not provide direct financial aid but will help people access relief through schemes like the CMRF, the charitable hospital scheme, the National Child Health Programme, and Ayushman Bharat. “It aims to enhance the implementation of Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana,” Chivate told new agency.