Amid rumors of an expanding divide within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance, the Home Department, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has removed the Y-security cover for 20 MLAs associated with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, sources reported.
Although the security detail for certain BJP MLAs and those from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has been scaled back, their count is significantly smaller compared to that of the Shiv Sena.
This action is viewed as a component of the initiative by the Fadnavis-led government to prevent the misuse of state resources.
According to sources, the Y-security protection was provided to these MLAs as a bonus benefit, even though they are not ministers. It was given to these MLAs following their departure from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in 2022, which ultimately resulted in the downfall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
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The conflict between the BJP and the Shinde Sena, which originated over the guardian minister positions for Raigad and Nashik—an issue that remains unsettled—has extended to other matters as well.
The previous month, prior to departing for the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Fadnavis appointed NCP’s Tatkare (Shrivardhan) as the Guardian Minister for Raigad. This, nonetheless, did not please Shinde, who was already upset about not getting the Chief Minister’s position.
Shinde sought a party member to assume the role since the Shiv Sena holds significant power in the district. Nonetheless, Tatkare’s appointment was postponed in a clear attempt to appease Shinde.
