A political cold war is unfolding in Maharashtra between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. What was once a strong alliance now seems to be unraveling, with tensions escalating over power dynamics and governance.
Rising Tensions Over Power and Control
The first major blow in this conflict came when the Maharashtra Home Ministry, led by Fadnavis, withdrew Y-category security for all Shiv Sena MLAs aligned with Shinde. This move sparked strong resentment within the Shinde faction and became a hot topic in the regional media.
Adding to the friction, several financial allocations made during Shinde’s tenure as CM were reversed by the current government. The situation escalated to the point where Union Home Minister Amit Shah had to intervene, holding a late-night meeting in Pune to mediate between the two leaders.
The Root of the Dispute: Who Should Lead Maharashtra?
The core issue is the clash over leadership. Ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP) announced that the elections would be fought under Shinde’s leadership. However, the poor performance of the Mahayuti in the Lok Sabha elections led the BJP to reconsider its strategy.
The assembly election results gave the BJP a decisive victory with 132 seats, far ahead of Shinde’s 57 seats and Ajit Pawar’s 41 seats. With this mandate, the BJP sidelined Shinde, making Fadnavis the Chief Minister, leading to the current power struggle.
Shinde’s Dilemma: A Leader Without Authority?
After serving as CM for two and a half years, Shinde is finding it difficult to accept a secondary role under BJP’s dominance. Unlike some leaders who compromise for political survival, Shinde is asserting his demand for decision-making authority.
However, the BJP’s aggressive political strategy is making it clear that they want full control over the Maharashtra government, much like they have done in other states by sidelining regional allies.
BJP’s Strategic Move: Promoting Ajit Pawar as a Counter to Shinde
The BJP is now strategically empowering Ajit Pawar, signaling to Shinde that he is dispensable. With its own 132 MLAs and Ajit Pawar’s 41 MLAs, the BJP can run the government without Shinde’s support. This political maneuvering has left Shinde in a precarious position, knowing that his influence within the Mahayuti is shrinking.
What Lies Ahead? A Test of Strength in Upcoming Local Elections
While Shinde is unlikely to take drastic steps immediately, his real test will come in the upcoming municipal and district council elections. These elections, especially the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) polls, will be crucial in determining his political strength.
Although Fadnavis has stated that the BJP will contest as Mahayuti, the ongoing rift raises doubts about whether the alliance will hold. If tensions continue, Maharashtra could see a major political realignment in the coming months.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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