Eknath Shinde no longer needed by BJP, calls grow for him to quit Mahayuti

The Congress and the NCP (SP) allege that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has become isolated and dispensable within the Mahayuti alliance.

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said Shinde is now politically cornered and rattled by the possibility of a split within his own Shiv Sena faction. According to Sapkal, Shinde’s recent displays of displeasure are nothing but a reflection of his fear of losing relevance inside the BJP-led alliance.

NCP (SP) leaders have echoed the same sentiment, claiming the BJP has already extracted what it needed from Shinde after the 2022 split – and now no longer requires him to stay in power. Some have openly urged Shinde to walk out of the government before it is too late.

Sapkal further alleged that the Mahayuti was stitched together not out of ideology or development priorities but purely for power. Internal tensions, he said, have escalated into gang wars between the triple-engine government, with both deputy chief ministers Shinde and Ajit Pawar showing signs of frustration.

On the Pune land scam, Sapkal claimed Ajit Pawar secured a safe passage during his Delhi meetings, while smaller players were targeted. He said the understanding between Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis is now evident.

Adding to the attacks, Sapkal accused the BJP of distributing tickets in local and civic polls to drug mafia, goons, and corrupt candidates, asserting that criminals are being washed and purified by the party machinery