The political atmosphere in Maharashtra is under scrutiny following Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s absence from the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. This raised questions about the stability of the alliance known as Mahayuti between Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While no formal explanation was provided for his absence, Shinde was reportedly at his residence in Thane during the meeting.

His non-attendance has intensified speculation regarding ongoing disagreements between the two parties. Issues such as control over Mumbai’s cooperative networks and the allocation of positions within state-run corporations have reportedly caused friction. The current scenario indicates that all may not be well among the coalition members, which raises concerns for the governance of the state.

Cooperative Bank Elections Highlight Political Rift

One significant development fuelling tensions is the impending elections for the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank. Shinde’s Shiv Sena is preparing to nominate candidates to challenge a panel heavily influenced by leaders associated with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Control of the bank’s 20-member board is currently held by a group led by BJP MLC Pravin Darekar, who successfully led his Sahakar Panel to victory in the previous elections held in 2021.

Shinde’s faction, supported by his son and MP Shrikant Shinde, aims to extend its presence in Mumbai’s cooperative sector. After contesting the recent Thane-Palghar cooperative bank elections independently and securing five seats, the Shiv Sena appears determined to leverage its newfound influence. The Mumbai Bank holds considerable political significance, reportedly boasting a working capital exceeding Rs 10,000 crore, solidifying its role as a battleground in local politics.

Previous Incidents Hint at Deepening Divisions

The friction between the factions has not emerged solely from the recent electoral contest. Earlier in June, tensions surfaced when Shinde was allegedly omitted from the guest list for the inauguration of a 20-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Despite holding the Urban Development portfolio, Shinde seemed to have been sidelined at a significant event attended by CM Fadnavis, whilst another Deputy Chief Minister, Sunetra Pawar, was also reportedly excluded.

This incident attracted criticism from within the Shiv Sena, with minister Sanjay Shirsat openly expressing discontent. Opponents of the government seized upon the controversy, suggesting that it indicated Shinde’s diminishing influence within the ruling coalition. Consequently, the Chief Minister’s Office issued show-cause notices to CIDCO and airport authorities in response to the alleged breach of protocol.

In an effort to manage the growing dissatisfaction among coalition partners, CM Fadnavis convened a coordination meeting at his official residence, Varsha. The gathering included Deputy Chief Minister Shinde and other senior leaders from the alliance and aimed to break a stalemate regarding appointments to state-run corporations. A consensus reportedly emerged to allocate control of these corporations according to the parties’ strength in the Assembly. However, the underlying tensions suggest that the political climate in Maharashtra may remain volatile.

Shinde Prepares for Upcoming Supreme Court Hearing

As political manoeuvring continues, Eknath Shinde is set to head to New Delhi for a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for Wednesday concerning the Shiv Sena’s name and symbol. This legal challenge adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught political landscape in Maharashtra.

The outcome of this hearing could significantly impact the dynamics between the Shiv Sena and the BJP, particularly as both parties navigate their interests and strategies ahead of critical local elections. Political observers will be closely monitoring these developments to gauge the state of governance and alliance stability moving forward.

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