Shinde’s Rise Worries Section In Maharashtra BJP

Mumbai: Even as the NDA stands to gain politically from any potential defections by MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT), developments within the ruling alliance are said to be causing unease among sections of the Maharashtra BJP leadership. According to party insiders, the prospect of more leaders gravitating towards the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has revived concerns within the state BJP over its ally’s growing influence. While the BJP remains the dominant force in the Mahayuti coalition, some leaders are privately questioning whether continued gains by the Shinde camp could gradually alter the balance of power within the alliance in Maharashtra.

Commenting on reports of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs merging with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, senior Maharashtra BJP leader and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the BJP had no role in the developments involving the two Sena factions. “Why MPs and MLAs are leaving Uddhav Thackeray is something he may be able to answer. Since these MPs are joining Eknath Shinde ji, he may know the reasons behind it. The BJP, our Chief Minister and our leaders have nothing to do with it,” Mr. Bawankule said.

Asked about Shiv Sena MLA Narendra Bhondekar’s reported remark that Devendra Fadnavis would one day lead the country at the Centre while Eknath Shinde would become Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Mr. Bawankule said Mr. Bhondekar was entitled to his opinion.

“But Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has received a mandate. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he is working for Maharashtra’s development. He is a very active Chief Minister. There is no point in discussing this issue,” Mr. Bawankule said, adding that it was not appropriate to speculate on the Chief Minister’s post.

Political analyst Abhay Deshpande said Eknath Shinde’s rising stature may have created unease among a section of Maharashtra BJP leaders, particularly in the context of the party’s “Shat Pratishat BJP” goal for the 2029 Assembly elections. However, he maintained that the BJP’s central leadership was unlikely to have reservations about Mr. Shinde’s growing influence.

“A section of Maharashtra BJP leaders may have concerns about Eknath Shinde in view of the 2029 elections, especially since the party’s central leadership has already indicated its intention to contest future elections on its own strength. In such a scenario, some BJP leaders may question why they should further strengthen Shinde politically,” Mr. Deshpande said.

Senior journalist and political analyst Shailendra Paranjpe said that while defections from the Shiv Sena (UBT) may strengthen the NDA in the short term, they could also fuel concerns within the BJP about Mr. Shinde’s expanding political influence. Efforts by the Deputy Chief Minister to expand his party by attracting leaders from the Sena (UBT) and other parties are viewed by some as potentially at odds with the BJP’s long-term objective of emerging as Maharashtra’s dominant political force ahead of the 2029 Assembly elections.

“While defections from the Sena (UBT) may benefit the NDA electorally, they also strengthen Eknath Shinde’s independent political standing. The BJP’s concern is not just about numbers today, but about the balance of power within the alliance in the run-up to 2029,” Mr. Paranjpe said.