Eknath Shinde finds himself at a crossroads as he navigates the fallout from Maharashtra’s power shuffle. Once a decisive leader in the state, Shinde now faces diminishing influence and thorny political choices, with his next move holding critical implications for his faction’s survival.
By PC bureau
Politicians are often masters of masking humiliation behind a smile. Outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde demonstrated this skill when he shared a joint press conference with CM-designate Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. Beneath his thick beard and seemingly deceptive smile, however, his disappointment and political downsizing were unmistakable.
Despite leading his faction of the Shiv Sena to an impressive victory in the assembly polls, Shinde now finds himself a dispensable pawn on a chessboard dominated by bigger players. The road ahead appears thorny. If Shinde declines to remain part of the government, his options dwindle. A ministerial berth at the Centre, while feasible, could weaken his influence in Maharashtra—a prospect he’s likely to resist. The BJP, on the other hand, may be eyeing opportunities to erode his support base, possibly enticing leaders from Shinde’s camp to switch allegiances.
Speculation about Shinde accepting the role of Leader of Opposition also seems improbable. The people of Maharashtra may view such a move as opportunistic, raising questions about its viability. Instead, Shinde’s next steps are under close watch. Securing a respectable position within the government and negotiating favorable portfolio allocations will be critical for his political survival.
Shinde’s meteoric rise in 2022, when his faction’s revolt helped the BJP regain power, came with the promise of the Chief Minister’s chair. Over the past two-and-a-half years, he wielded significant power, albeit under the BJP’s watchful eye. This period, marked by friction between allies, saw Shinde bulldozing decisions that occasionally irked the BJP. After Ajit Pawar’s entry into the coalition as Finance Minister, the dynamics shifted.
Shinde’s faction shares a fraught history with Ajit Pawar, stemming from their time together in the MVA government. Allegations of bias and neglect fueled the Sena’s eventual departure from Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership. Pawar’s control over the state treasury once again revives old grievances within Shinde’s camp, adding to the tension in the new Mahayuti coalition.
In public, Shinde has adopted a philosophical tone, emphasizing his “sacrifices” for Maharashtra. Speaking in his native village, he claimed unparalleled achievements as CM, linking them to Mahayuti’s electoral success. “Our government’s accomplishments in two-and-a-half years will be written in history with golden words,” he proclaimed. Yet, behind the rhetoric, his desire for prominence in Mahayuti 2.0 is evident.
If the Chief Minister’s post is unattainable, Shinde’s team is angling for the powerful Home Department under the Deputy CM role. They also seek key portfolios to replenish their political capital. The BJP faces the challenge of balancing Shinde’s demands while keeping Ajit Pawar content—his newfound confidence and wit suggesting he is well-positioned for the power-sharing arrangement.
Questions linger over Shinde’s next move. Will his son Shrikant emerge as one of the Deputy CMs? Will Shinde operate outside the government as a “remote control” figure, similar to Bal Thackeray’s role in the past? His team is firmly opposed to the latter, insisting he remain in the government to safeguard their interests.
Navigating these complexities will test Shinde’s political acumen. As he reshuffles his team and weeds out troublemakers, his decisions now will shape his relevance in Maharashtra’s volatile political landscape. Whether he emerges strengthened or further sidelined depends on the moves he makes today.
