Recent speculations about the diminishing influence of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the ruling Mahayuti coalition are intensifying in Maharashtra. Concurrently, the influence of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde appears to be on the rise. This was particularly visible during Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent visits to Pune and Raigad.
During Shah's visit, a private meeting took place at a hotel in Pune attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shinde. However, Ajit Pawar was excluded. This omission has sparked considerable discussion.
Although Ajit Pawar was present at the Samadhi Renovation Centenary program at Raigad Fort, commemorating the 345th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he was sidelined in the proceedings. It was prearranged that only Shah and Fadnavis would address the audience, and unexpectedly, Fadnavis granted Shinde an opportunity to speak before him. But Ajit Pawar was not invited to address the programme.
Sources indicate that during the Pune meeting, Deputy CM Shinde expressed concerns to Shah about Ajit's role in fund distribution, alleging that Ajit delays the processing of files related to his party's ministers. Shinde also urged Shah to mediate the ongoing dispute regarding the guardian minister post for Raigad district. He advocated for Bharat Gogavale for the post. Shinde said the number of his supporter MLAs was greater in the area.
Fadnavis is reportedly also frustrated with Ajit’s assertiveness. Following the establishment of the Mahayuti Government 2.0, which unites the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar), Ajit attempted to take advantage of Shinde's dissatisfaction by offering unconditional support to Fadnavis.
However, during the budget allocation, Ajit allegedly favored his department's ministers with more funds than those from the BJP and Shinde, which has fueled further discontent.
As a result, CM Devendra Fadnavis has instructed that Ajit's files be sent to him after receiving Shinde's approval. The decision to exclude Ajit from the meeting with Shah and the speaking opportunity at Raigad is viewed as an extension of this dissatisfaction.
In response, Ajit Pawar's party has refuted these claims. Anand Paranjape, the chief spokesperson for Ajit's NCP, stated, "In the Mahayuti government, there is effective coordination among Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar. The media's current narratives, attributed to unnamed sources, are regrettable. Amit Shah's visit to Raigad was not for political purposes but to honor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's anniversary, and no such incidents as reported have occurred."
No comments:
Post a Comment