Don’t take me lightly, says Shinde amid reports of rift with Fadnavis

Fresh cracks have emerged in Maharashtra’s BJP-led Mahayuti government, with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday issuing a strong warning, asserting that he should not be taken lightly.The Shiv Sena chief, who has been visibly displeased after being denied the chief minister’s post despite the alliance’s landslide victory in the 2024 Assembly elections, reminded his critics of his role in toppling the previous government in 2022.

“In 2022, I overturned the cart of those who underestimated me and installed a new government that has since won the hearts of the people. The double-engine government ran at full speed. Devendra Fadnavis declared we would win over 200 seats and we secured 232. Do not take me lightly. The hint is enough for those who understand it. I will continue to do my work,” Shinde said in a veiled message.

Shinde had led a rebellion within Shiv Sena in 2022, bringing down the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, after which he was appointed Chief Minister. However, following the 2024 elections, he had to settle for the deputy CM post, with the BJP retaining the top position.

His comments come just days after the government withdrew Y-level security for 20 Shiv Sena MLAs, a move that reportedly irked Shinde and his camp.

Tensions have been simmering for some time. Shinde was earlier excluded from the Disaster Management Authority, only to be included later after an amendment in rules. He had also pushed for Shiv Sena leaders to be appointed as guardian ministers of Nashik and Raigad, but Fadnavis instead proposed NCP’s Aditi Tatkare and BJP’s Girish Mahajan for the roles. The appointments had to be put on hold after a revolt from Shiv Sena MLAs.

Despite the apparent discord, Shinde was seen on February 20, sharing the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Devendra Fadnavis, and NCP chief Ajit Pawar at the oath-taking ceremony of the new Delhi government. However, his latest remarks suggest that all is not well within the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.