Shinde hints at power struggles amid tensions with Fadnavis over policy rollbacks and project disputes.
Mumbai: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Friday warned his detractors not to take him lightly. Though Mr. Shinde made the comment in the context of Uddhav Thackeray, it also holds significance in light of the reported one-upmanship between him and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Mr. Shinde, who was on a Vidarbha region tour, interacted with journalists at Nagpur. “I am an ordinary worker of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe (Mr. Shinde’s mentor). But some people took me lightly. Therefore I toppled their tonga in 2022 and brought the ‘Mahayuti’ alliance government in Maharashtra. In my speech in Vidhan Sabha (after becoming the CM), I said that Devendra Fandavis and I will ensure that Mahayuti wins more than 200 seats in the 2024 elections. Mahayuti won 232 seats. Therefore, do not take me lightly. Those who need to understand my warning have understood it,” he said.
In June 2022, Mr. Shinde along with 39 Shiv Sena MLAs parted ways with Uddhav Thackeray and formed the government with BJP’s support. However, the relationship between him and Mr. Fadnavis is not as cordial after the 2024 elections. Though both leaders have denied it, there are reports of a cold war going on between the two.
After becoming the CM, Mr. Fadnavis has overturned some of the major decisions taken during the previous Shinde-led government. The latest flashpoint between the two leaders is Mr. Fadnavis’s decision to put on hold a Rs 900 crore project in Jalna that was approved during Mr. Shinde’s tenure as the CM. An investigation has also been ordered after questions were raised on the project’s validity.
Mr. Shinde has skipped at least three major government events chaired by the CM this month.
