With Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar by his side, Eknath Shinde dismissed the rumors of a rift, insisting that they remain united.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday laid to rest rumours that an internal discord had emerged in the state's ruling alliance, saying the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP's partnership will not break. Flanked by allies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Shinde refuted reports of a cold war between the trio.
"No matter how much breaking news you give, we (Mahayuti) will not break. What is the cold war? There is nothing like that. In this scorching heat of Maharashtra... how is a cold war possible?" he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Amid reports of a rift, Eknath Shinde warned his critics last week not to "take me lightly." He stated, "Do not take me lightly; I’ve already told those who have. I am just a regular party worker, but I am a worker of Bala Saheb, and everyone should understand this. In 2022, when you took me lightly, I changed the government and brought one that reflects the will of the common people," Shinde was quoted by ANI.
He was referring to the rebellion he led among Shiv Sena MLAs in 2022, which resulted in the downfall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government.
In a cryptic message, Shinde said that those who underestimate him should "understand this hint." "In my first speech in the Vidhan Sabha, I predicted that Devendra Fadnavis ji would secure more than 200 seats, and we got 232. That라이브 바카라 why you should not take me lightly. Those who wish to understand this hint, should, and I will keep doing my work," he added.
Some media reports suggested that Shinde had been absent from meetings called by Fadnavis. Eknath Shinde라이브 바카라 Shiv Sena faction holds 57 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly, while the BJP has 132.