As the BJP and Shiv Sena grapple over the home ministry portfolio, delays in government formation continue to stoke tensions. Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde faces mounting pressure from his party to retain credibility amid fears of BJP’s long-term dominance.
By PC Bureau
The BJP’s reluctance to part with the all-powerful home ministry may appear to be one of the main reasons for the delay in government formation in Maharashtra. However, this may be more of a red herring, as the underlying issue runs much deeper.
Suspicion has taken root within the Eknath Shinde camp that now, with the BJP no longer reliant on them for power, the saffron party may attempt to clip Shinde’s wings and systematically weaken the Shiv Sena.
Sources in the Shiv Sena indicate that Shinde risks losing credibility among his supporters and the millions of voters who backed the Shiv Sena in the assembly polls if he surrenders both the chief minister’s chair and the claim to the home ministry portfolio. “No one follows a weak leader. We’d be committing political hara-kiri if we succumbed to the BJP’s arm-twisting,” a Shiv Sena leader remarked.
Shiv Sena leaders fear that in the coming days, the BJP will work strategically to erode the party’s strength, ultimately eliminating its dependence on Eknath Shinde’s faction. Sources suggest the issue of chief ministership has been settled, with Devendra Fadnavis emerging as the frontrunner. Two deputy chief ministers are expected—one from the Shiv Sena and the other from the NCP.
On Saturday, the BJP announced that the swearing-in ceremony would take place on December 5 at Azad Maidan. However, this announcement has failed to quell murmurs of discontent within the Mahayuti camp. Instead, State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule’s statement about the oath-taking has sparked unease within the Shiv Sena faction.
Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena spokesperson, Sanjay Shirsat, defended the party’s claim to the home ministry. He argued that in the 2022 government, the home department was held by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while Shinde served as the chief minister. “There should naturally be a similar division this time,” Shirsat stated. He further told PTI that efforts appeared to be underway to marginalize Chief Minister Shinde.
Shinde is under pressure from a segment of Shiv Sena leaders who oppose him accepting a deputy chief minister position after serving as chief minister for over two years. However, another faction within the party believes he must join the new government.
Amid the ongoing tussle over portfolios, Shinde has retreated to his village, Dare, in Satara, citing health reasons. Caretaker Chief Minister Shinde, who left on Friday, is reportedly suffering from a high fever. Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai confirmed Shinde has been advised to rest due to exertion.
In the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, the majority mark stands at 145. The BJP won 132 seats, Shiv Sena secured 57, and the NCP garnered 41. With the BJP’s offer of a deputy chief minister’s post facing resistance, tensions within the Mahayuti coalition remain high as the December 5 deadline approaches.
