The political landscape in Maharashtra appears to be growing increasingly turbulent, with signs of a deepening rift between Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Shinde’s latest remarks, where he warned against taking him lightly, seem to be a clear signal of his dissatisfaction with the current power structure in the Mahayuti alliance. His reference to the 2022 rebellion, when he led a group of 40 MLAs to split the Shiv Sena and topple the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, serves as a stark reminder of his ability to alter the political landscape when underestimated.
The immediate flashpoint appears to be Fadnavis’s decision to put on hold a ₹900 crore project in Jalna that was sanctioned under Shinde’s tenure as Chief Minister. The initiation of an investigation into the project has only added fuel to the fire, making it clear that there are growing cracks within the alliance. Shinde’s recent moves, including his conspicuous absence from several key meetings called by Fadnavis and the establishment of parallel medical assistance desks in the state secretariat, further indicate a power struggle that is playing out behind closed doors. The fact that Shinde and Fadnavis are competing for influence over key administrative decisions suggests a lack of coordination and possibly a brewing conflict over authority within the government.
Despite Shinde’s public insistence that there is “absolutely no cold war” between him and Fadnavis, political observers argue that the tensions are too evident to ignore. The unresolved dispute over the guardian minister posts for Raigad and Nashik remains a key point of contention, and both leaders seem unwilling to back down. This power struggle, if left unchecked, could have significant implications for the stability of the ruling alliance, particularly with the next round of elections on the horizon.
At the heart of this friction is Shinde’s perceived marginalization after the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the Mahayuti alliance secured a dominant victory with 232 seats, including 132 won by the BJP. While Shinde played a pivotal role in the formation of the government, he had to make way for Fadnavis as Chief Minister, which appears to have left him feeling sidelined. His recent statements, including his assertion that he had predicted the alliance’s landslide victory in the Vidhan Sabha, suggest that he is attempting to reassert his political relevance within the alliance.
If these tensions continue to escalate, Maharashtra’s political scene could witness another major shake-up. The unresolved differences between Shinde and Fadnavis could potentially weaken the alliance’s ability to function cohesively, leaving room for opposition parties to capitalize on the discontent. Given Shinde’s history of making bold moves when faced with political adversity, it will be interesting to see whether he chooses to compromise or take a more confrontational approach to assert his position in the government. The coming weeks could be crucial in determining whether this internal strife leads to further instability or a realignment of power within Maharashtra’s ruling dispensation.
Do you think Shinde will try to assert himself more forcefully, or will he eventually have to accept his reduced influence in the government?
