Mumbai: A power struggle has erupted within the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra over the allocation of key portfolios in the impending state cabinet. The development comes as the BJP, which secured 132 seats in the recent assembly elections, grapples with accommodating Eknath Shinde, who ruled Maharashtra as Chief Minister in the previous term.
According to sources, Shinde is not ready to settle for the Deputy Chief Minister's post and is seeking key portfolios like Home and Urban Development for his faction. This demand has put the BJP in a spot, as the party wants to retain the Home portfolio, which was held by Devendra Fadnavis during his previous tenure as Chief Minister.
Ajit Pawar, likely to be the Deputy Chief Minister, is also insisting on retaining the finance portfolio. The BJP, however, is keen to allocate key portfolios to its own leaders, sources said.
The power struggle is likely to intensify, with the BJP facing the challenge of picking a Brahmin leader for the top post, potentially reigniting the Maratha quota reservation issue. The party's central leadership, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J.P. Nadda, is holding meetings with top leaders of the Mahayuti to resolve the issue.
On Wednesday, Shah held a 40-minute meeting with BJP's national general secretary Vinod Tawde, whose feedback is crucial for the saffron party. The meeting was seen as an attempt to gauge the mood of the party's state unit and find a solution to the portfolio allocation issue.
After his meeting with Shah, Eknath Shinde said, "The meeting was positive, and the next meeting will be held in Mumbai. I am not upset over anything. It is now for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to decide on the Chief Minister. Since I am a caring person, I have to take care of everyone."
The power struggle within the Mahayuti has raised concerns among party workers and allies, who fear that the infighting may impact the stability of the government.
The development has also sparked speculation about the fate of the Mahayuti alliance, which comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena, and other smaller parties. The alliance had contested the assembly elections together, but the power struggle has raised questions about its longevity.
As the power struggle within the Mahayuti continues, all eyes are on the BJP's central leadership to find a solution to the portfolio allocation issue and ensure the stability of the government.
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