In a recent development that underscores growing tensions within the Mahayuti alliance, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has voiced his dissatisfaction over being excluded from a significant event involving a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Toyota Kirloskar. The MoU, related to a major car manufacturing project in Maharashtra, was signed at Sahyadri, the state guest house, located at Malabar Hill.
Sources informed the Free Press Journal (FPJ) that neither Pawar nor Industries Minister Uday Samant received formal invitations to the MoU signing ceremony. Pawar, alongside Samant, had been occupied with a review meeting concerning the industries department at the time of the event. Their absence from the signing raised eyebrows, particularly as the MoU was a key development for Maharashtra's industrial growth.
Upon realizing that several senior officials from the industries department and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) had attended the event, Pawar was perplexed. Inquiries revealed that these officials had been present at Sahyadri for the MoU signing. This prompted Pawar to contact Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, expressing his discontent and reminding him of the alliance?s collaborative spirit. Pawar emphasized that as a part of the Mahayuti government, both he and Samant should have been included in the significant event.
The Chief Minister reportedly reacted with surprise to Pawar?s complaint and assured him that he would make arrangements to include Pawar and Samant in the ongoing ceremony. Consequently, both officials abandoned their prior commitments and proceeded to Sahyadri.
This incident highlights the underlying friction within the Mahayuti alliance, which has recently faced other controversies. For instance, a debate arose over the ?Ladki Bahin? scheme, where Pawar?s announcement of the scheme during the state budget presentation was followed by a government resolution issued by CM Shinde?s directive, bypassing the usual legislative approval process. Additionally, during Pawar?s recent tour in Ahmednagar district, promotional materials for the scheme conspicuously omitted Shinde's title, further straining relations.
