Growing fissures within the Mahayuti coalition were reported on Saturday after Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s remarks were widely interpreted as a strong reminder to the BJP regarding the need to uphold what he described as “alliance dharma.” The statements, delivered during televised interviews, were considered unusually sharp for a leader known for his restrained public tone. As a result, considerable political activity was set into motion, with the comments seen as an indication of deepening unease between the coalition partners.
It was suggested by political observers that the strain had primarily emerged from recent developments in Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli. In these regions, several Shiv Sena workers were said to have been inducted into the BJP, an action that was viewed as a direct challenge to Shinde’s influence. This recruitment drive was reported to have created significant resentment within Shinde’s faction, especially since these areas have long been regarded as his strongholds.
Further escalation was reported when all Shiv Sena ministers, apart from Shinde himself, boycotted the state cabinet meeting held on November 18. This act of absence was interpreted as a symbolic protest aimed at signalling dissatisfaction with the BJP’s conduct. It was later conveyed that a separate meeting had been convened to address the discord. During this discussion, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was said to have reminded Sena representatives that their party too had previously inducted BJP members, after which a mutual agreement was reportedly reached that no further cross-party recruitment would take place.
In subsequent statements, Shinde was quoted affirming the Sena’s senior position within the alliance in regions such as Mumbai and Thane. The induction of 120 former corporators into his faction was cited by him as evidence of the party’s organisational strength and its preparedness for upcoming electoral contests. These comments were viewed as a strategic assertion of dominance within the alliance framework.
Analysts noted that Shinde’s criticism appeared to be directed more toward the BJP’s state leadership rather than its national leadership. Particular attention was drawn to BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, whose recent political activities were perceived as attempts to expand his influence within the coalition structure. The situation was further complicated by the Kankavli controversy, where MLA Nilesh Rane’s sting operation was reported to have uncovered bags of cash at the residence of a BJP supporter. This incident created additional friction within the alliance.
An FIR was subsequently registered against Nilesh Rane. He was accused of trespassing into the residence where the alleged cash was discovered and of claiming that the funds were intended for voter inducement. The case added another layer of tension to the already strained alliance dynamics, with observers noting that the unfolding developments had cast uncertainty over the stability of the Mahayuti coalition.