Maharashtra Politics: Cracks Deepen In Mahayuti As Shiv Sena Ministers Skip Cabinet Meeting Over BJP’s Induction Spree

Political tensions within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance escalated on Tuesday after ministers from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena boycotted the weekly state cabinet meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The boycott comes ahead of crucial local body elections and amid growing resentment within the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) over the BJP’s aggressive induction of leaders from allied parties.

Although the meeting was chaired by Fadnavis, not a single minister from the Shinde faction except Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was present. All Sena ministers attended the routine pre-cabinet meeting but later chose to remain absent for the main cabinet session. After the meeting, they directly visited Fadnavis’s office to convey their grievances.

BJP’s Induction Drive in KDMC Sparks Boycott

Sources said the immediate trigger for the boycott was the BJP’s alleged attempts to poach Shiv Sena leaders and former corporators, particularly in the Kalyan–Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). Earlier in the day, several former Shinde Sena corporators joined the BJP in the presence of state BJP president Ravindra Chavan. Many of these leaders were considered close to MP Shrikant Shinde.

Shinde Sena ministers accused the BJP of violating coalition dharma by inducting leaders who had contested against the alliance in past elections. They also alleged that several administrative and financial decisions including fund allocation and transfers were being taken without consulting Sena ministers. According to sources, Shinde faction ministers complained that they were being forced to “struggle for funds” and that the BJP was undermining them in regions such as Sambhajinagar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ambernath, and the Konkan.

Fadnavis Reprimands Sena Ministers in Presence of CM Shinde

When the ministers met Fadnavis after the cabinet meeting, they expressed frustration over the BJP’s recruitment drives in KDMC and other districts. However, sources said Fadnavis strongly reprimanded them in the presence of Chief Minister Shinde.

According to insider accounts, Fadnavis confronted the ministers by listing districts where the Shinde-led Sena had poached leaders from other alliance partners. He reportedly told them:
“If your party inducts leaders from our allies, you cannot complain when the BJP does the same. Hereafter, no alliance partner will take workers from the other.”

Ministers Gulabrao Patil, Sanjay Shirsat, Pratap Sarnaik, and Bharat Gogawale were among those who met the CM and raised objections.

Ravindra Chavan at the Centre of Sena’s Anger

Much of the Shinde Sena’s resentment is directed at BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, whom they accuse of destabilising the alliance in Kalyan-Dombivli for personal political reasons. Sena ministers alleged that Chavan orchestrated the defection of three former Sena corporators Mahesh Patil, Sunita Patil, and Sayali Vichare who rejoined the BJP after previously defecting to the Shinde-led Sena.

The Shinde faction also claimed that while they refrained from inducting disgruntled leaders from the NCP and BJP to maintain alliance harmony, the BJP showed “no such restraint.”

Sena Ministers Claim It Was Not a Boycott

After meeting the CM, Minister Pratap Sarnaik told the media that there was no formal boycott, only an expression of emotion.
“Disagreements happen in a family. We expressed our feelings to the Chief Minister,” he said. Sarnaik added that all three parties had agreed not to induct each other’s leaders going forward. He also stated that the discontent was linked to developments in Palghar, Solapur, Thane, and Kolhapur.

However, Minister Uday Samant denied any conflict, saying no boycott had taken place.

Aaditya Thackeray Mocks Shinde Faction for Skipping Cabinet Meet

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised the Shinde faction for skipping the cabinet meeting, calling it an “insult to the people of Maharashtra.” He claimed the ministers were upset over seat-sharing issues and the BJP’s alleged attempts to weaken their faction.
“This is a dangerous situation for Maharashtra,” Aaditya posted on social media.

Opposition MVA Also Faces Internal Friction

Interestingly, tensions are also rising within the Opposition Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA). The Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana criticised the Congress for deciding to contest the upcoming BMC elections independently and for not taking the MNS along. In a sharp editorial, Saamana urged the Congress to show patience, stressing that unity is essential against the BJP’s alleged misuse of money and state machinery during elections.