All Still Not Well In Mahayuti? Speculations Of Rift Reignite As Shinde, Pawar Skip Party Events

Speculations about cracks in Mahayuti have reignited after Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar skipped events hosted by each other's parties over the weekend.

Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, the two Deputy Chief Ministers, skipped events by each other's parties over the weekend.

Source : PTI

The rift between allies in the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra seems like far from over as top leaders Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar skipped events by each other's parties over the weekend. 

The absence of the two Deputy Chief Minsiters from the events has reignited the speculations of everything not being well within the alliance. 

On Saturday, the Nationalist Congress Party hosted a high-profile felicitation ceremony in Mumbai to honour the former chief ministers of Maharashtra. However, ex-CM Shinde and his party leaders were not in attendance at the event. 

Similarly, a day earlier, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and his party's minister gave a miss to the Mahabaleshwar Tourism Festival organised by Shiv Sena leader and tourism minister Shambhuraj Desai, reported News18. 

While both the camps have floated there reasons for the no-show, including Shinde's visit to his hometown Daregaon, the political messaging has grabbed attention. 

The tourism event organised by Shinde Sena was skipped by NCP minsiters from the Satara region, including Makrand Patil and Indranil Naik, despite their names being on the invitation list.

Cracks In Mahayuti 

The development comes amid ongoing tension between the two parties over several issues including Raigad's guardian minister post, fund approvals delay, and files allegedly being held back by the finance department. 

Additionally, NCP MP Aditi Tatkare's flag hoisting event in Raigad on May 1, reportedly upset the Shinde camp. 

The issue of the guardian minister post in Raigad remains a sensitive issue as both camps eye control. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has openly criticised Ajit Pawar.

Over delay in the disbursement of funds, indicating that the friction is far from over. 

Notably, the BJP which is the largest partner in the Mahayuti alliance, has remained silent on the infighting with no active efforts to mediate between the allies.