Eknath Shinde Voices Discontent, Targets BJP Ahead of Maharashtra Local Body Polls

Mumbai: Tensions within Maharashtra’s ruling alliance have escalated ahead of the upcoming local body elections. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde openly criticized the BJP during a rally in Dahanu, signaling growing friction within the Mahayuti coalition. Speaking to a large crowd, Shinde refrained from naming the party directly but made his discontent clear, highlighting issues of alleged arrogance and authoritarianism.

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During his Dahanu rally, Shinde drew a parallel to the epic of Ramayana, saying, “Even Ravana was arrogant, which led to the fall of Lanka. On 2nd December, the people must unite to eliminate corruption and vote for development.” He urged voters to support Shiv Sena candidate Raju Machhi and his team in the upcoming elections.

The local body elections in Dahanu are expected to see a direct contest between Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the BJP. While Shinde is the guardian minister for Thane district, the BJP has appointed Forest Minister Ganesh Naik as its local contact minister, intensifying the rivalry.

Shinde’s confrontation stems from recent political maneuvers in Palghar and Ulhasnagar. Shiv Sena absorbed five former corporators from Ulhasnagar, prompting BJP to expel several former Sena corporators, including close associates of Shinde’s son, Srikant Shinde. This triggered a ministerial boycott by Shiv Sena leaders.

Following the mounting tensions, Shinde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to lodge complaints regarding BJP activities at the local level. The feud also impacted Shinde’s public appearances; he skipped a program in Navi Mumbai where he was expected to share the stage with Ganesh Naik after an incident involving altercations between a former BJP corporator and two Shiv Sena officials in Thane.

Commenting on the alliance dynamics, BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhyay stated, “At the state level, the Mahayuti partners share good relations. We aimed for cooperation at the local level, but that has not materialized.” He clarified that the current tensions are local-level issues and not indicative of the overall state-level alliance.

With local body elections just days away, the Shinde-BJP rivalry highlights the fragile balance within Maharashtra’s coalition politics, as both sides gear up for a high-stakes electoral battle.