Mumbai: Tensions within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance have escalated following allegations that the BJP violated a ‘non-poaching’ pact with its partner, the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The row comes at a crucial time, as the alliance prepares for the high-stakes Mumbai civic body elections, a contest for the country’s richest municipal corporation.
Amid rising friction, Eknath Shinde issued a direct message to his ally, emphasising the importance of adhering to coalition principles. “My clear stand is that we fully follow the principles of coalition dharma, and our alliance partners should also follow the same,” he said. Shinde noted that the alliance was built on the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani, adding that it was created “not for power or positions but on shared ideology and common principles.”
Relations between the two parties have been strained in recent weeks, with leaders exchanging politically loaded public statements. Tensions deepened after the Election Commission’s Flying Squad and the Local Crime Branch raided the office of Shahajibapu Patil, a former MLA from the Shinde-led Sena, immediately after his election rally. Patil is contesting against the BJP in the Sangola local body polls.
Reports also indicated that during a recent visit to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were at the same hotel but did not meet.
The situation further intensified after Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Nilesh Rane alleged that Rs 25 lakh in cash was recovered from the home of a BJP worker in Malvan, claiming it was intended for voter distribution. The BJP dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, asserting that keeping business-related money at home is not unlawful and that the manner in which the information was obtained raised legal questions.
At a rally in Nandurbar, senior Shiv Sena leader Dada Bhuse reaffirmed confidence in Shinde’s leadership. “We will certainly see Honourable Eknathji Shinde Saheb leading Maharashtra once again. For the development of this city, I request all of you to bless the ‘Panel to Panel’ Bow and Arrow,” he said.
Earlier in November, signs of strain surfaced when Shiv Sena ministers skipped a weekly cabinet meeting amid complaints that the BJP was attempting to poach Sena leaders ahead of local body polls. Only Eknath Shinde attended the meeting.
As campaigning gathers momentum, the Mahayuti alliance faces mounting pressure to remain cohesive while navigating internal discord at a critical political juncture.
