Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 1: Relations between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Maharashtra have come under fresh strain, with a growing war of words between the ruling alliance partners escalating into a poster battle. Concerned over the worsening situation, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has reportedly urged his party leaders to exercise restraint and avoid publicly targeting the BJP.
The escalating tensions have raised questions about the future of the Mahayuti alliance, with both parties increasingly clashing over political interests, organisational dominance and the treatment of alliance partners.
The latest confrontation comes amid allegations raised by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange through an audio clip purportedly suggesting a Rs 500-crore financial transaction involving Shinde and his son, Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde. The allegations have added to the political pressure on the Deputy Chief Minister and his party.
The recent Maharashtra Legislative Council elections have further widened the differences between the two allies. The Mahayuti alliance managed to win only two of the five seats, while the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) secured three.
The BJP suffered setbacks in the Pune, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar graduates' constituencies, triggering accusations of inadequate cooperation from its alliance partners. BJP leaders alleged that Shiv Sena leaders worked against official Mahayuti candidates, undermining the alliance's prospects.
BJP spokesperson Navnath Ban publicly criticised the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, accusing party leaders Ravindra Dhangekar and Abdul Sattar of working against alliance candidates. He also demanded that Shinde take disciplinary action against those allegedly responsible for the defeats.
The Shiv Sena, however, rejected the allegations and questioned the BJP's approach towards its alliance partners. Party leaders maintained that the BJP should also take responsibility for its electoral setbacks rather than shifting the blame.
The election results also revived demands within the Shiv Sena for Shinde to return as Maharashtra Chief Minister, replacing Devendra Fadnavis. Dhangekar had suggested that the results reflected dissatisfaction with the state government's leadership and called for Shinde to be given another opportunity to head the government. The remarks reportedly angered the BJP leadership.
The confrontation has now spilled over onto social media, with leaders from both parties exchanging personal attacks through posters and digitally generated images.
Shiv Sena leader Ravindra Dhangekar took a swipe at BJP spokesperson Navnath Ban by sharing an AI-generated poster depicting Ban as a dog tied with a rope and being offered bread. The image was accompanied by insulting remarks targeting the BJP spokesperson.
Ban retaliated by sharing an image of a chameleon wrapped in the flags of different political parties, including the Congress, Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), in an apparent reference to Dhangekar's political affiliations and shifting loyalties.
The exchange followed earlier attacks by BJP leaders, who had reportedly described Dhangekar as a "Money Strap Brand".
The growing confrontation has exposed a serious trust deficit between the two parties, which share power in Maharashtra as well as at the Centre but are increasingly divided over electoral strategies and political influence.
With the dispute threatening to affect the functioning of the Mahayuti government, Shinde has appealed to his party colleagues to avoid provocative statements against the BJP and maintain alliance discipline. He is keen to prevent the public exchanges from escalating further and affecting the stability of the ruling coalition.