‘No Cold War in This Heat’: Eknath Shinde Denies Tensions in Maharashtra Govt

Mumbai, 3rd March 2025: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday dismissed speculations about tensions within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, asserting that his relationship with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar remained harmonious.

“Despite all attempts to create sensational news by suggesting discord, our alliance remains strong and unbreakable,” Shinde stated while addressing a joint press conference with Fadnavis and Pawar.

Rejecting claims of disagreements among coalition leaders, he remarked, “How can there be a Cold War in such scorching heat? Everything between us is calm and cool.” His comments drew a smile from Fadnavis, who was seated beside him.

Shinde’s remarks come shortly after he made a statement suggesting his pivotal role in the 2022 collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government.

“Do not underestimate me; I have already conveyed this to those who took me lightly. I am an ordinary party worker, but I follow Bala Saheb’s ideology, and people should recognize that. When I was disregarded in 2022, I reshaped the government and established an administration aligned with the people’s wishes,” Shinde had earlier stated, as reported by ANI.

Speculation about tensions within the alliance intensified when Shinde was notably absent from several meetings convened by Chief Minister Fadnavis. Reports suggested that Shinde was displeased with the BJP over being denied the top post, further fueling rumors of a rift.

Meanwhile, addressing the absence of Opposition leaders from the pre-session meeting ahead of Maharashtra’s budget session, Chief Minister Fadnavis criticized their decision to boycott the gathering.

“We invited the Opposition for ‘Chahapan’ (a pre-budget session snack meeting), but they refused to attend. They held their meeting, but none of their senior leaders participated,” he stated.

Fadnavis went on to remark, “With the budget session beginning tomorrow, the Opposition has submitted a nine-page letter. Their situation resembles ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun?’ rather than ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain.’ They missed an opportunity for an open discussion by skipping the Chahapan. Their letter is merely a compilation of newspaper reports. However, we will ensure they get ample time to express their concerns in the House.”