Mumbai, February 21, 2025 – Signs of growing tension within Maharashtra’s BJP-led Mahayuti government surfaced again on Friday as Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde issued a strong warning to his political opponents.
Shinde, who had expected to become chief minister after the alliance’s sweeping victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, made it clear that he should not be taken lightly.
“I Toppled a Government Before” – Shinde
Addressing reporters, the Shiv Sena chief reminded everyone of his 2022 rebellion, which led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
“In 2022, I toppled those who underestimated me and installed a new government that won the people’s hearts. Our double-engine government worked at full speed. Devendra Fadnavis had declared we would win over 200 seats, and we secured 232 in the 2024 elections. Do not take me lightly,” Shinde warned.
Growing Rift in Mahayuti
Shinde’s remarks come amid growing dissatisfaction within his faction of the Shiv Sena. Recently, Y-level security was withdrawn from 20 of his MLAs, a move that angered the leader.
He was also left out of the Disaster Management Authority, forcing the government to amend the rules to include him later.
Another flashpoint was the guardian minister appointments in Nasik and Raigad. Shinde wanted Shiv Sena leaders to hold these key positions, but Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis initially proposed them for NCP’s Aditi Tatkare and BJP’s Girish Mahajan. Facing resistance from Shinde’s MLAs, Fadnavis had to put the appointments on hold.
Uncertainty Looms Over Maharashtra Government
With power struggles surfacing within the Mahayuti alliance, political analysts believe Maharashtra could witness more turbulence in the coming months. While Shinde remains a key figure in the government, his increasing frustration suggests that the alliance’s internal battles are far from over.
