Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has once again entrusted his close confidant, Ashish Kulkarni, with the key role of Chief Coordinator in the CM's Office, a strategic move aimed at strengthening coordination within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Kulkarni’s reappointment comes at a crucial juncture, as the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde faction)-NCP (Ajit Pawar) coalition prepares for the upcoming civic polls.
Ashish Kulkarni, a former Vice President of the Maharashtra BJP, is considered one of Fadnavis’s most trusted aides. He had earlier held the same post in 2022 when the Shinde-Fadnavis government was formed after a dramatic political upheaval that led to the split in the Shiv Sena. Kulkarni’s behind-the-scenes manoeuvring played a key role in aligning BJP interests with Eknath Shinde’s breakaway group, effectively setting the groundwork for the new dispensation.
Reports citing sources within the state government say Kulkarni’s reappointment signals a renewed focus on alliance management at a time when the tripartite government is grappling with both internal coordination challenges and public perception ahead of elections. His role will be to facilitate smooth communication and strategy formulation between key stakeholders, including the BJP high command in Delhi, the Shiv Sena leadership in Mumbai and the NCP faction led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.
Though not often seen in the public eye, Kulkarni is known for his quiet but effective political manoeuvring. His low-profile approach belies the influence he wields in shaping policy direction and maintaining backchannel diplomacy within the ruling coalition. With multiple layers of leadership and competing political interests within the alliance, Kulkarni is expected to act as the glue holding together disparate factions.
Political observers believe his rapport with both Shinde and Ajit Pawar will be crucial in reducing friction and ensuring that the coalition presents a united front, particularly in urban regions where seat-sharing and campaign messaging remain sensitive topics.
The appointment also suggests that Fadnavis is keen on tightening internal communication lines and regaining strategic momentum as the state gears up for high-stakes political battles. Kulkarni’s return to the CM’s inner circle places him at the centre of Maharashtra’s evolving political equation, one that will test not just electoral strength, but the durability of coalition politics in the state.
