Disagreements within the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra continue to make headlines with Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde expressing his displeasure again by chosing not to accompany Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar to Delhi for portfolio discussions.
This comes as the BJP served a huge blow to Shiv Sena on Wednesday by removing Shinde's trusted aide Mangesh Chivte from the post of Chief Minister's Relief Fund Cell. Chivte was replaced by Rameshwar Naik who earlier headed the medical aid cell of the deputy CM when Fadnavis held the post.
Shinde, who made his dissatisfaction known for being denied the post of the Chief Minister, stayed in Mumbai as both Fadnavis and Pawar headed to Delhi to meet Amit Shah to finalise portfolios.
Senior Shiv Sena leaders feel the BJP is trying to sideline it by aligning with the NCP and cut to size its powers within the government. Shinde also feels that his role as the leader of the coalition was one reason Mahayuti won the elections. Despite that, he had to bargain hard for everything.
Though the Shiv Sena insists on the Home Department, the BJP has not agreed to that so far. The saffron party is also keen on keeping all plum portfolios, including Revenue, Industries and Housing.
The new government is likely to have 30-25 ministers, with BJP claiming 18 to 20. Shiv Sena was offered 11-12 but it insists on having at least two more. NCP was offered 9 to 11 ministers. Speculations are that Shinde would be given the urban development department while NCP will retain the finance department.
Not only was Sena not offered other important portfolios, the BJP also wanted it to drop leaders, who it was not happy with. Abdul Sattar, Sanjay Rathod, Tanaji Sawant and Deepak Kesarkar are some of the names the BJP wants out. Shinde is reportedly unhappy about the conditions put forth by the BJP.
