In a significant political development that could signal a temporary ceasefire, top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) in Maharashtra shared a public platform in Kalyan on Saturday. This comes after weeks of escalating friction and a bitter poaching war between the two ruling Mahayuti alliance partners in the crucial Kalyan Lok Sabha region.
A Stage Shared After Weeks of Strain
The event was the Bhoomi Pujan (ground-breaking ceremony) for a massive ₹180-crore multi-purpose sports complex, war memorial, and other projects in Dombivli. Notably, Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and his son, Kalyan MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, were seen together on the dais. Their interactions were marked by visible warmth and cheerfulness, a stark contrast to the recent public spats.
This joint appearance followed a crucial statement by Chavan just a day earlier. During a press conference in Sindhudurg on Friday, Chavan openly acknowledged the friction within the Mahayuti but stressed that the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP had been working well together for the past year. He revealed that he had spoken with Deputy CM Shinde, who urged that the issue should not be escalated further. Chavan also stated that all senior leaders—including himself, Shinde, and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis—would soon meet to resolve the tensions.
The Roots of the Kalyan Conflict
The conflict had been brewing primarily in the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, a traditional Shiv Sena stronghold, and particularly within the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) area. Since taking over as the state BJP chief, Ravindra Chavan had been aggressively working to expand the party's footprint in Kalyan-Dombivli. His key objectives were to secure the mayoral post in the upcoming KDMC elections and strengthen the BJP's position for the future Lok Sabha polls.
This expansion strategy led to an intense tit-for-tat poaching battle over the past month. The BJP inducted several former Shiv Sena corporators and office-bearers into its fold. In retaliation, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena also began welcoming BJP corporators. The situation reached a peak when the Shinde camp was left frustrated as the BJP continued its inductions even after Eknath Shinde had reportedly complained directly to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Dr. Shrikant Shinde was determined to protect Kalyan as a Sena bastion, while Chavan was equally focused on expanding BJP's influence, leading to open disagreements and deep friction between the alliance partners.
A Unified Front for Development
Saturday's event, however, painted a picture of unity. During their speeches, all three leaders focused exclusively on the development work undertaken by the Mahayuti government, avoiding any sharp remarks or indirect jibes at each other—a notable shift from the recent heated exchanges.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Shrikant Shinde made two significant statements. He asserted, "The next Mayor of Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation will definitely be from the Mahayuti," and emphasized, "I do the politics of development." These remarks were seen as an effort to reassure party workers and the public that, despite internal strains, the ruling alliance remains united and committed to governance.
The friendly demeanor—characterized by smiles, free-flowing conversation, and an absence of criticism—has sparked widespread speculation among political observers. Many believe the Mahayuti leadership has decided to draw a temporary curtain over the public dispute, especially in the wake of Chavan's public call for peace. The harmonious stage-sharing after weeks of tension suggests a strategic pause in hostilities, at least until the high-level meeting between the senior leaders takes place.
