Mahayuti Meltdown: Shinde Ministers Walk Out As Fadnavis Asserts Control

Mumbai: In a dramatic turn of events, all ministers from the Eknath Shinde camp walked out of the lower house Vidhan Sabha as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis commenced his address.

The ministers swiftly moved to the Upper House, where Eknath Shinde was speaking, highlighting the ongoing rift within the Mahayuti alliance.

Today's session was marked by significant announcements made by CM Fadnavis just ahead of the highly anticipated budget presentation scheduled for Monday.

Typically, major budget announcements are made by the Finance Minister on budget day, making Fadnavis's preemptive statements all the more striking.

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Observers interpret this as a clear signal from Fadnavis asserting his leadership within the coalition, underscoring his position to both his allies, such as Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde and his political opponents.

This move comes at a time when internal tensions within the Mahayuti alliance are palpable. The Shinde camp's walkout is seen as a protest against what they perceive as Fadnavis’s bid to overshadow their influence. As the political dynamics continue to evolve, it remains to be seen how these developments will affect the stability of the coalition government.

A Mahayuti MLA, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that the power struggle among the coalition's leaders is undeniable. The MLA noted that Eknath Shinde, being the sole prominent leader in his party, cannot afford to appear weaker than Devendra Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar has already been put in his place by Fadnavis, particularly after Dhananjay Munde's resignation. By making significant announcements, Fadnavis is sending a clear message that he is the dominant force and the sole power centre within the Mahayuti government.

Political analysts suggest that Fadnavis’s strategy is an attempt to reaffirm his control and assert that he remains the dominant figure in Maharashtra's political landscape. Meanwhile, Shinde's manoeuvres indicate that he is keen on maintaining his ground and not yielding to Fadnavis's assertiveness.

As the budget presentation approaches, the focus now turns to the financial allocations and policies that will be unveiled, which could further influence the dynamics within the Mahayuti.

The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of further political manoeuvring as both factions vie for greater influence in Maharashtra’s governance.

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