Mumbai: As the Maharashtra assembly elections draw near, tensions within the Mahayuti alliance have surfaced, casting doubt on the unity of the coalition. The rift between senior Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam and BJP’s Public Works Department (PWD) minister Ravindra Chavan has escalated, leading to open criticisms and calls for resignation.
Ramdas Kadam, a key ally of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has publicly demanded the resignation of Minister Ravindra Chavan, citing the long delays in completing the Mumbai-Goa highway. Kadam stated, “For years, the work on the Mumbai-Goa highway remains incomplete, causing suffering to the people of the state while Minister Chavan remains unperturbed. I will urge Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to seek Chavan’s resignation.”
Responding to these comments, Ravindra Chavan expressed disappointment, remarking, “Ramdas Kadam is a senior leader, and such language does not befit him. We are not the sole custodians of Mahayuti’s values. I urge CM Eknath Shinde to rein in leaders like Kadam; otherwise, we know how to respond in kind.”
Chavan’s behind-the-scenes role has been crucial in various BJP missions, including election strategies for the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council. His influence is particularly strong in regions like Thane and Konkan, where he has helped shape the party’s strategy.
The simmering tensions are not new. On the Shiv Sena’s foundation day, Kadam had openly criticised both the BJP and Ajit Pawar. He had pleaded with Eknath Shinde to convey his grievances to Amit Shah and Narendra Modi, blaming the BJP for seat-sharing delays during the Lok Sabha elections, which he claims caused losses for the Shinde faction.
As the alliance gears up for the upcoming elections, these internal conflicts may pose challenges for the Mahayuti coalition’s electoral prospects. The situation highlights the fragile balance within Maharashtra’s political landscape as the election date approaches.
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