BJP leader defends Shinde amid rumoured tensions in Maharashtra alliance
Senior BJP leader and former Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Sunday, April 13, 2025, extended support to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde amid reports of discord within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Senior BJP leader and former Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Sunday extended support to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde amid reports of discord within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance. The development comes amid speculation that Mr. Shinde raised concerns about the functioning of the alliance during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to the State.
Sources indicate growing discontent in Mr. Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction over two key issues: delays in clearing files related to Sena-held ministries currently pending with Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who controls the finance portfolio; and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ reversal of certain decisions taken during Mr. Shinde’s previous tenure as CM.
Under these circumstances, Mr. Shah’s Saturday visit to Raigad Fort for an event commemorating Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s 345th death anniversary created a buzz in the alliance circles.Mr. Mungantiwar dismissed there was any contentious discussion between Mr. Shah and Mr. Shinde. “Eknath Shinde is a capable leader who would address concerns directly with Deputy CM Pawar rather than through other channels,” the BJP leader stated. This marks the first official BJP comment on the speculated meeting.
The ruling alliance, comprising the BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, came to power with a decisive victory in the State Assembly elections. Notably, Mr. Shinde, who served as Chief Minister from June 2022 after rebelling against then Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and heading a faction of the party, now serves as deputy to Mr. Fadnavis in the incumbent government.
Published – April 13, 2025 07:21 pm IST
