Maharashtra Politics: War Of Words Erupts Between Ministers Sanjay Shirsat & Madhuri Misal Over Departmental Meetings

Mumbai: In yet another episode highlighting the fragile alliance within Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti, a war of words has erupted between Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat of the Shiv Sena and Minister of State Madhuri Misal from the BJP, over something as basic as departmental meetings.

What started as a seemingly routine bureaucratic communication snowballed into a very public spat on Saturday, giving the Opposition more grist to label the Mahayuti as a house divided. Shirsat, known more recently for controversies involving a luxury hotel auction and viral videos of bags allegedly containing cash, fired off a letter to Misal on July 24.

His charge: she had held meetings with department officials without informing or seeking his permission. But if Shirsat expected a meek response, he miscalculated. Misal shot back a sameday rebuttal, point-by-point, reminding him that as MoS, she was well within her rights to review departmental progress.

“I don’t feel your permission is required to hold meetings,” she wrote bluntly, clarifying that no decisions were taken and the meetings were merely reviews—mandated, in fact, by the Chief Minister as part of the 100-day and 150-day performance targets. Misal, who also oversees multiple departments like Urban Development, Transport, Medical Education, and Minorities Development, further raised questions about the allocation of responsibilities.

In a telling aside, she noted that the division of work had not followed the Rules of Business, 1975, which require CM approval. Still, she insisted, she had raised no objections and was simply doing her job. However, she has now sought clarity from the CM’s office on whether prior permission is truly required to conduct such meetings—suggesting that this spat may escalate into a policy-level clarification, if not political arbitration.

Shirsat, on his part, has claimed that his intent was not confrontational. “Some matters require decisions that are beyond the MoS’s or even my authority,” he explained to reporters, adding that he only wanted to be kept in the loop. Despite both leaders publicly insisting there is no tension, the timing and tone of the exchange hint at deeper unease. It’s no secret that the Sena-BJP dynamic within Mahayuti is often fraught, especially when it comes to sharing power and portfolios.

This spat may seem bureaucratic on the surface, but it underscores the simmering fault lines that threaten the Mahayuti’s much-touted unity. The BJP’s assertiveness, Sena’s bruised ego, and a politically volatile atmosphere make it more than just a case of who chairs what meeting. It’s a slow burn that could ignite larger conflicts in the months ahead.