Mahayuti Cold War: Fadnavis and Shinde Clash Over Election Rebels

A shadow cold war within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti coalition has spilled into the open as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde lock horns over public rebellions and local election candidatures.

While top leaders maintain the alliance remains intact, local cross-fire and proxy battles ahead of crucial elections have left the governing partnership severely strained.

Cross-party support triggers public row

The flashpoint in the growing rift stems from the upcoming Legislative Council (MLC) Graduate and Teacher constituency polls. Tensions erupted in the Marathwada segment after senior Shiv Sena leader Abdul Sattar openly pledged support to Dr Pratapsingh Patil, an opposition candidate backed by Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP, defying the Mahayuti's official nominee.

The open defiance drew a direct public reprimand from Chief Minister Fadnavis. "Taking a different stand when we are together is not appropriate," Fadnavis stated, publicly calling on Shinde to rein in rebels within his ranks. The BJP moved swiftly by expelling its own local dissenters for six years, placing pressure on Shinde's camp to take matching disciplinary action.

Cabinet ministers trade blows over independent nominations

Simultaneous clashes in the Pune and Amravati Teachers' seats have further widened the divide between alliance partners. In Pune, Shinde’s Shiv Sena threw its weight behind independent candidate Sachin Sanap against BJP-aligned interests.

The move triggered an exchange between cabinet colleagues. When BJP Minister Jaykumar Gore publicly dismissed the independent nominee's standing, Shiv Sena Cabinet Minister Uday Samant retaliated, warning that the final election tally would teach alliance partners a lesson. The spat highlighted how discipline has broken down at the grassroots level across key districts, including Thane, Kalyan, Pune, and Nandurbar.

Long-term ambitions fuel coalition anxieties

The immediate friction is compounded by long-term power calculations surrounding post-2026 state politics. Senior Shiv Sena figures, including Cabinet Minister Pratap Sarnaik, have repeatedly declared that party workers intend to see Shinde restored to the chief minister's post in 2029. The assertion signals that Shinde’s faction has no intention of accepting a junior role indefinitely, creating friction with BJP strategists looking to solidify their dominance in the state.

Marathi media outlets, including TV9 Marathi, Loksatta, and Saamna, report growing disconnect within cabinet operations, citing high-visibility absences at joint government events.

Taking advantage of the situation, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition has labelled the ruling setup an unstable alliance of convenience. MVA spokespersons claim the administration is failing on governance while its constituent leaders remain preoccupied with internal turf wars ahead of impending municipal body elections across Maharashtra.