Political Turmoil in Maharashtra as NCP Claims Shinde Sidelined
The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) has launched a sharp political attack, claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party no longer requires the support of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and has urged him to exit the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra. This dramatic development comes amid reports of deepening fissures within the state's coalition government.
Cabinet Boycott Sparks Political Firestorm
The political controversy erupted after Eknath Shinde attended a crucial cabinet meeting alone on November 19, 2025, with his ministers from the Shinde Sena faction reportedly staying away from the proceedings. This visible absence of his own party members from the meeting immediately became fodder for opposition criticism and raised questions about Shinde's control over his own political outfit.
NCP (SP) leader Clyde Crasto seized upon these developments to launch a scathing assessment of the political dynamics within the ruling alliance. Referring to the cabinet meeting incident, Crasto stated that the developments clearly demonstrate that Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has no respect for Shinde and that even Shinde's own ministers show scant respect for their leader.
Growing Isolation Within Mahayuti Alliance
The political commentary from the opposition party suggests a calculated move to exploit the visible cracks within the Mahayuti alliance. According to Crasto's analysis posted on social media platform X, the situation reveals a troubling picture of Shinde's diminishing political capital within the very coalition he helped create.
The absence of Shinde's ministers from the cabinet meeting has been interpreted as a significant indicator of the weakening position of the Deputy Chief Minister within the power structure of Maharashtra's government. This development comes at a critical juncture for the state's politics, with the opposition sensing an opportunity to drive a wedge between the alliance partners.
Political observers note that the public statements from NCP (SP) represent a strategic attempt to amplify the internal conflicts within the ruling coalition. By directly calling for Shinde to quit the Mahayuti alliance, the opposition party is clearly attempting to accelerate whatever political realignments might be occurring behind the scenes.
Broader Implications for Maharashtra Politics
The unfolding situation has significant implications for the stability of the Maharashtra government and the future of political alliances in the state. The very public nature of the criticism, coupled with the visible signs of discord during official government proceedings, suggests that the political tensions within the ruling coalition may be reaching a boiling point.
As the political drama continues to unfold, all eyes remain on how Eknath Shinde and his faction will respond to both the internal challenges within the alliance and the external pressure from opposition parties. The coming days are likely to reveal whether this represents a temporary friction or a fundamental shift in the political equations that have defined Maharashtra's governance since the formation of the Mahayuti alliance.
