New Delhi: In a move that has set political circles abuzz, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde abruptly departed for Delhi on Tuesday.
This was amid growing unrest within his Shiv Sena faction over recent local body election outcomes. Sources close to the matter indicate that Shinde aims to hold crucial discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari. This is to address perceived coordination lapses with alliance partner BJP.
The visit comes against the backdrop of dissatisfaction brewing in Maharashtra’s grassroots politics. This is particularly after the Zilla Parishad polls where Shinde’s group fell short of the anticipated victories. Party insiders attribute this to inadequate support from the BJP, leading to discontent among Shinde’s loyalists. “The lack of synergy at the local level has hurt our prospects,” a senior Shiv Sena functionary told reporters on condition of anonymity. He highlighted the need for better alliance dynamics ahead of upcoming civic body contests, including those in Mumbai and Thane.
While Shinde has publicly downplayed any major rifts, acknowledging occasional “friendly fights” in local contests, he emphasised the importance of coalition dharma.
In a recent statement, he remarked, “Everyone should adhere to the dharma of coalition. Our goal is to ensure Shiv Sena and BJP come to power together in every corporation.”
This isn’t Shinde’s first visit to Delhi amid alliance strains; similar visits in late 2025 helped broker truces. As Maharashtra gears up for more local polls, observers say the outcome of these talks could shape the government’s future stability.
Political analysts believe resolving these issues is vital to countering Opposition challenges from the Maha Vikas Aghadi.