Informal understanding between allies comes amid tensions after two Sena leaders switched sides in Kalyan-Dombivli belt
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP (left) with Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena head Eknath Shinde. PIC/KIRTI SURVE PARADE
An informal and unwritten understanding has been reached to ease tensions within the Mahayuti alliance. The BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction have agreed not to poach each other’s members. The move comes after Shinde’s party complained to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that the BJP was allegedly poaching its leaders ahead of the upcoming local body polls.
According to the reports, the Shinde camp was upset as state BJP President Ravindra Chavan inducted Shinde Sena leaders into his party in the Kalyan-Dombivli belt. Both the Shinde Sena camp and BJP leaders claim that this area is their bastion. In fact, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s son, Shrikant, is the MP from this constituency.
Senior BJP leader and Revenue Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule refuted a report about Mahayuti leaders being upset or the existence of tensions within the ruling alliance. “If there are any issues, it will be sorted out in the coordination committee meeting,” he added.
Pratap Sarnaik, Shiv Sena leader. FILE PIC/ATUL KAMBLE
Now that the issue of the BJP poaching Shinde Sena party workers has reached the corridors of Mantralaya, several BJP leaders believe the problem actually began when the Shinde Sena first inducted BJP members in Ulhasnagar.
Senior Shinde Sena leader and minister in the Mahayuti government, Pratap Sarnaik, candidly mentioned, “The CM was apprised about the Shinde Sena camp being unhappy with the unfolding of recent developments, especially poaching of its leaders.”
Asked how Fadnavis responded to the complaint, the transport minister said, “He gave an assurance that hereafter, no party within the alliance will induct leaders or workers belonging to other allied parties.” Sarnaik further claimed that following the CM’s mediation and assurance, the issue has been settled.
Switching sides
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Advay Hire from Malegaon and Raju Shinde from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, both leaders from the Shiv Sena (UBT), joined the BJP. Hire is a key leader from North Maharashtra, while Shinde is a former deputy mayor from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Reacting to the report of a rift within the ruling alliance, Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray slammed the Mahayuti leaders on X. “This is called ‘Chor Machaye Shor’ [the wrongdoer is shouting the loudest]. Instead of addressing public issues, ruling party leaders are busy addressing internal rifts within them,” he posted.
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