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Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's dissatisfaction with the Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government has been evident for some time now, leading to speculation about tensions within the ruling alliance.
A recent statement by him went viral, in which he said, "Main humesha kehta hu mujhe halke mein mat lo, warna tanga palat jayega" (Never take me lightly, or the cart will overturn). He also remarked, "Daadhi ko halke men mat lo, isii daadhi ne tumhaari gaadi ko gaḍḍhe men ḍaal diyaa tha"(Don’t underestimate the beard; this very beard once drove your vehicle into a ditch). However, Shinde has now clarified that his comments were misunderstood.
Shinde Clarifies On Viral Remark
Addressing the controversy, Shinde stated, "I read somewhere today that my statement was misinterpreted as referring to the so-called cold war within the ruling coalition." He further explained that his remarks were actually aimed at those who oppose development, not at his allies. "There is no cold war between us. We are working together for the welfare of the people. Our fight is against those who hinder progress," he stated.
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Rift Between Shinde-Fadnavis
Speculation about a rift between Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been ongoing. It is widely believed that Shinde still harbours a desire to reclaim the Chief Minister’s position, which he lost. His discontent became more evident when he started skipping key meetings chaired by Fadnavis. These developments have fueled rumours that a cold war is brewing between the two leaders.
A few weeks ago, Fadnavis convened an important meeting to discuss the progress of various ministerial projects. However, Shinde was absent from this meeting, as he had been from previous ones. In contrast, the third Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, has been consistently attending meetings with Fadnavis. Shinde’s repeated absences from key discussions have raised questions about his growing dissatisfaction and its potential impact on the ruling alliance.
