All Hunky Dory In Mahayuti? Eknath Shinde’s Absence From Key Events Fuels Rift Buzz In Maharashtra Alliance

Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, was notably absent from three government events in the state, fuelling speculation of a rift within the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which assumed power in the November 2024 Assembly elections.

Shinde did not attend the inauguration of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Badlapur, Thane district, the Maratha king's birth anniversary celebrations at the historic Agra Fort, or the opening of the second phase of the Shivsrushti theme park in Ambegaon Budruk. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was present at all three events.

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, secured a decisive victory in the 2024 state elections, winning 230 out of 288 Assembly seats.

Shinde had allied with the BJP following a rebellion within the erstwhile united Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, in 2022, which resulted in a split. Subsequently, both the Election Commission and the courts granted Shinde's faction the original party name and symbol.

The alliance's victory in the 2024 Assembly elections was seen as a strong endorsement.

However, discontent among Shiv Sena supporters surfaced when Shinde was not appointed Chief Minister. Instead, he was accommodated in the State Disaster Management Authority.

Tensions within the alliance have seemingly escalated, particularly after security cover was withdrawn from several MLAs.

While the security downgrade affected legislators from all parties, sources indicate that the highest number belonged to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, causing discontent within the faction.

The security arrangements in question had been granted to 44 state legislators and 11 Lok Sabha MPs following the Shiv Sena rebellion. However, after a security review, several key aides of Shinde-who do not hold Cabinet positions-lost their security cover, according to sources.

The situation has also been strained between the Shiv Sena and the NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, particularly over the government's flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana, which was largely credited for the alliance's electoral success.

Shinde's party raised objections over the omission of the term "Mukhyamantri (Chief Minister)" from the scheme's promotional material by the NCP, though their coalition partner downplayed the dispute.

Further tensions arose following the appointments of NCP leader Aditi Tatkare and BJP's Girish Mahajan as guardian ministers for Raigad and Nashik, respectively.

Shinde also did not attend a review meeting for the 2027 Nashik Kumbh Mela, which was chaired by Fadnavis.

However, senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar dismissed speculation of a rift, insisting that there was no discord and that the government was functioning cohesively. Shinde also denied any internal conflict, stating there was "absolutely no cold war".