Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, now serving as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, has made a strong pitch for the state’s crucial home portfolio. The ongoing discussions over portfolio allocation among the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have brought this demand to the forefront, potentially reshaping the dynamics within the coalition.
Shinde’s Demand for Home Ministry
Bharat Gogavale, a Shiv Sena MLA, confirmed that Eknath Shinde has requested the home portfolio, which is one of the most significant departments in the state. “When Fadnavis was the deputy CM in the previous Shinde-led government, he held the home department. Now, Saheb has demanded the same arrangement,” Gogavale told reporters, adding that talks are currently underway.
The demand was reportedly raised at the highest levels, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah being informed. Gogavale expressed hope that the matter would be resolved in the next two days.
Political Maneuvering in the Mahayuti Alliance
The Mahayuti coalition, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), achieved a decisive victory in last month’s assembly elections. With Devendra Fadnavis taking the helm as chief minister, Shinde and Pawar were sworn in as his deputies.
However, reports suggest that Shinde was initially reluctant to accept the deputy chief minister post, viewing it as a step down from his previous position as chief minister. Despite his reservations, party leaders convinced him to take the role, though his insistence on the home portfolio underscores his desire to retain significant influence in the government.
Historical Context: Shinde’s Rise to Power
Eknath Shinde’s journey to the deputy chief minister’s post is steeped in political drama. In June 2022, Shinde led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, then the chief minister and head of the undivided Shiv Sena. The revolt caused a vertical split in the party and brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, an alliance of the Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress.
With BJP support, Shinde became chief minister, relegating Fadnavis to the deputy CM position in a surprising political arrangement. Ajit Pawar joined the alliance as a second deputy CM in July 2023, further cementing the Mahayuti’s strength in Maharashtra politics.
Implications for Maharashtra Governance
The allocation of the home portfolio is critical, as it oversees law enforcement and state security, directly reporting to the state police. If Shinde succeeds in securing the department, it would enhance his influence and provide his faction of the Shiv Sena with greater political leverage.
On the other hand, the BJP, which holds the majority in the coalition, may be cautious about relinquishing control over such a key portfolio. The final decision will reflect the evolving power dynamics within the Mahayuti alliance.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
