Eknath Shinde in Delhi: Shiv Sena leader rattled by Thackeray cousins joining forces?

Amid reports of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's secret visit to Delhi to meet top central cabinet ministers, the Congress has taken a jibe, suggesting he went to settle the "gang war" within the state cabinet.

 

Marathi newspaper Pudhari reported that Shinde made a secret trip to Delhi to meet Home Minister Amit Shah and Minister for Roads and Highways Nitin Gadkari to apprise them of the situation in Maharashtra.

 

Shinde group minister Uday Samant stated that the Deputy Chief Minister may have visited Delhi to meet leaders on 'Guru Pournima', an auspicious day for worshipping Gurus. Samant added that Shinde might then have discussed issues concerning Maharashtra's development, asserting there is "nothing wrong in going to Delhi if you are discussing Maharashtra development when same parties are ruling at the centre and in the state."

Shinde's absence at the inauguration of Sindoor bridge (old name Carnac Bridge) did not go unnoticed.

 

There are many reasons why Shinde could have made the trip to Delhi. A top reason could be the possibility of a political realignment in Maharashtra, particularly with the prospects of the Thackeray cousins uniting for the cause of Marathi and Maharashtra. It is important to recall here that the proposal to introduce Hindi as a compulsory language from the first standard was brought forth by Eknath Shinde's minister, Dada Bhuse, who holds the education portfolio. This entire initiative backfired, and the state government received significant criticism on the issue. Consequently, the Shinde Sena gained a negative reputation for initially agreeing to such a proposal.

 

Shinde is also worried that if Raj and Uddhav really come together then he stands to loose in his stronghold of MMR region as there could  be a chance that some of his legislators and cadres wishing to return to Thakceray fold -- especially in Mumbai Thane Pune and Nashik belt.

 

Another potential issue could be that Sanjay Shirsat, a Shinde group minister, has received an Income Tax notice requesting an explanation of his assets and wealth. This notice might be seeking details about a hotel deal in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district, into which Chief Minister Fadnavis had recently ordered a probe and in which Shirsat's son was allegedly involved. 

 

It is also speculated that, alongside Shirsat, even Shinde's MP son, Dr. Shrikant, has received an IT notice asking for some explanation. As these matters were being discussed in the corridors of power in the state legislature, former Congress state president Nana Patole took a jibe at Shinde, stating that Shinde had gone to Delhi to resolve the "gang war" in the state cabinet.

 

 

 

India