Now that Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde is almost out of the race for the Chief Minister's post, cracks are beginning to show in the Mahayuti coalition. Eknath Shinde, who resigned as the Chief Minister, is apparently very unhappy about being demoted that he is making his displeasure known.
While speculations are that Shinde has cancelled all public meetings, Shiv Sena leaders are now coming out in the open lambasting Ajit Pawar's NCP.
Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam lashed out at Ajit Pawar and the NCP, stating that it was Pawar's interference that cost Shiv Sena the top post. "Earlier, when Ajit Pawar joined Shiv Sena in 2023, it cost our people ministerial posts," Kadam told Zee 24 Hour.
He added that Shiv Sena workers wanted Shinde to retain the chief minister's post. "Ajit Pawar surrendered and supported Devendra Fadnavis for the post of Chief Minister. This affected our bargaining power," Kadam said, adding that it will be difficult for Eknath Shinde to get the post of Chief Minister due to Ajit Pawar's act.
However, he clarified that the grand alliance will remain intact.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar declared that he was not in the race for the chief minister.
Meanwhile, speculations are rife that Shinde may not accept the post of Deputy Chief Minister, since the elections were fought in the name of Shinde.
"The election was contested under the leadership of Eknath Shinde. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah believed in Eknath Shinde and fought the battle and achieved great success. Now it is in the hands of party elites where to put the tilting measure," said Ramdas Kadam.
Meanwhile, RPI(A) leader Ramdas Athawale, a key BJP ally, has backed Devendra Fadnavis as the next Maharashtra CM and stated that Shinde should shift to the Centre as a Union minister.
Athawale said since the BJP won the maximum number of seats in the 288-member Assembly, it deserves the top post.
