'When They Took Me Lightly In 2022...': Shinde's 'Govt Change' Warning Amid Rift In Mahayuti Rumours

The speculations surfaced in Maharashtra over unease between Devendra Fadnavis and Shinde over disagreement over guardian minister's post to taking separate review meetings to separate medical cells.

File photo of Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

Source : PTI

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday took a veiled dig at the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra saying that when the ruling bloc had taken him lightly in 2022, then the government had changed.

"I am a worker, a simple worker, but I should be seen as a worker of Balasaheb and Dighe Saheb," Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said in Nagpur.

"When I was taken lightly, I changed the government in 2022 and brought in a government that reflects the people's will," he added.

Shide was referring to the split in Shiv Sena, which led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, led by former CM Uddhav Thackeray in 2022.   

He further said that he had rightfully claimed that the Mahayuti alliance would win more than 200 seats in Maharashtra and the party won.

"In my Assembly speech at that time, I had said that Devendra ji and I would secure more than 200 seats, and we won 232 seats. Do not take me lightly—those who need to understand this message will understand," Eknath Shinde said.

The speculations surfaced in Maharashtra over unease between Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde over disagreement over guardian minister's post to taking separate review meetings to separate medical cells and 'war rooms' for monitoring projects.

The rumours of rift have gripped the ruling Mahayuti just three months after the BJP-led three-party coalition swept the Assembly polls, winning 230 of the 288 seats and virtually decimating the rivals.

Shinde has stayed away from several key meetings convened by Fadnavis, including the Nashik Regional Development Authority (NRDA), to discuss the 2027 Kumbh Mela preparations in the north Maharashtra city. After Fadnavis held a review meeting of the industries department, Shinde held another meeting recently. 

The rift seemed to have widened after the security of 20 Shiv Sena MLAs was reduced or removed following threat perception exercise undertaken by the state police. They were given 'Y' security cover following the June 2022 split in the party.