Maharashtra: Fadnavis-Shinde Cold War Intensifies As CM Removes Deputy's Close Aide From MITRA

A political rift between Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde is reportedly growing wider due to the CM's recent decisions.

Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis

Source : PTI

Maharashtra News: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has again seemingly delivered a blow to his deputy Eknath Shinde. He has removed Shinde loyalist Ajay Asher from the board of the Maharashtra Information and Transformation (MITRA), which is the state's version of the NITI Aayog. 

Shinde, who was the Maharashtra CM before Fadnavis, had appointed builder Ajay Asher as the institution's vice-president. However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has now removed Ajay Asher from MITRA's regular board.

Ajay Asher is a prominent builder from Thane and has been associated with several construction projects in the Kisan Nagar area. This area falls within Eknath Shinde's influential assembly constituency. Asher was previously considered close to former Congress corporator Manoj Shinde.

Who Is Ajay Asher?

In 2000, Eknath Shinde became active in the Shiv Sena and rose through the ranks in politics with the support of the late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe. After becoming an MLA, Eknath Shinde became close to Ajay Asher, leading to Asher receiving priority in redevelopment projects in Thane.

After becoming Chief Minister, Shinde appointed Asher as the vice-president of MITRA. Since the formation of the Mahayuti government, there has been talk of differences between Chief Minister Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Shinde. Now, this move by Fadnavis along with the reversal of some decisions taken during Shinde's tenure, is being seen as the two allies being at loggerheads.

New Faces In MITRA

Ajay Asher has been replaced by Dilip Walse Patil, Rana Jagjitsingh Patil, and Rajesh Kshirsagar as the new vice-presidents of the MITRA institution. In addition, a chief secretary and other senior officials have also been appointed.

Shinde-Fadnavis Cold War

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis did not include Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the reconstitution of the State Disaster Management Authority, while NCP leader Ajit Pawar was given a place. A large project worth ₹900 crore in Jalna, which had been approved by the Shinde government, was stopped by Fadnavis.

This decision has likely widened the gap between the two leaders. Ministers from the Shinde faction have complained that there is a deliberate delay in the appointments of Personal Assistants (PAs) and Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) in their offices, hindering administrative work.

Eknath Shinde had claimed his right to the post of Guardian Minister of Raigad, but the responsibility for Raigad was given to NCP minister Aditi Tatkare instead of Eknath Shinde's minister Bharatseth Gogawale. A stay was later imposed on this. Shinde has consistently been absent from meetings called by Fadnavis and has also distanced himself from cabinet meetings.