Maharashtra Deputy CM Refutes Reports of Discord, Stresses Unity with Ajit Pawar and BJP
Mumbai, April 14:Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday firmly denied reports of internal discord within the Mahayuti alliance, asserting that the ruling coalition remains united and strong. Dismissing speculations of a rift, Shinde said, “Everything is hunky-dory. We work and don’t complain. We are the ones who fight.”
His statement comes amid rumors suggesting he had raised concerns about his counterpart, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“Good Relations Prevail,” Says Ajit Pawar
Responding to these reports, Ajit Pawar said he maintains cordial ties with Shinde. “If Eknath Shinde has to say something, he will directly talk to me or the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. We share good relations,” Pawar told reporters.Echoing this sentiment, BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar also came to Shinde’s defense, stating that the Shiv Sena leader is not someone to use indirect channels for raising grievances. “Shinde is a good leader. He would directly speak with Deputy CM Ajit Pawar rather than wait or go through Amit Shah,” Mungantiwar said.
Mahayuti Leadership Dynamics Under Scrutiny
The Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP—retained power with a sweeping win in the state assembly elections held in November last year. While Shinde was the Chief Minister since June 2022, he accepted the Deputy CM role in the post-poll government led by Devendra Fadnavis.However, recent developments have reignited talks of friction, especially over the distribution of guardian minister posts in districts like Raigad and Nashik.
Shah’s Visit, Tatkare Lunch Trigger Speculation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah was in Maharashtra on Saturday to mark the 345th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Raigad Fort. During his visit, he attended a lunch hosted by NCP MP Sunil Tatkare at his residence in Raigad.While Tatkare described the meeting as “non-political,” the absence of local Shiv Sena leaders from the event and the unresolved issue of guardian minister appointments added fuel to the speculation.
Sunil Tatkare’s daughter, NCP MLA Aditi Tatkare, is reportedly a contender for the Raigad guardian minister post. However, she faces resistance from Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale. Similarly, the appointments of Aditi Tatkare and BJP’s Girish Mahajan as guardian ministers for Raigad and Nashik, respectively, were stayed in January due to objections from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.