Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde made headlines on Sunday by playfully taking a dig at fellow deputy Ajit Pawar, emphasizing that while he and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis switched roles, Pawar’s position remained unchanged. Shinde’s comments sought to dispel rumors of discord within Mahayuti, the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, during a joint press conference with Fadnavis and Pawar.
“Only we (Devendra Fadnavis and I) have changed roles. But yes, Ajit Dada’s role is constant,” Shinde quipped, prompting laughter from Fadnavis and Pawar. In response, Ajit Pawar humorously remarked, “What can I do if you couldn’t retain your Chief Minister chair?”
Historically, Eknath Shinde served as Chief Minister in the previous government while Fadnavis and Pawar acted as deputies. In this new term of Mahayuti, Fadnavis now holds the Chief Minister position, with Shinde and Pawar serving as his deputies.
The light-hearted banter wasn’t new; it mirrored earlier exchanges when Mahayuti celebrated its victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections last December. At that time, Shinde and Pawar engaged in playful banter about their oath-taking as Fadnavis’s deputies.
Amid speculations of disagreements within Mahayuti and potential power struggles between Shinde and Fadnavis, Shinde highlighted his unpredictability, stating that he “overturned the incumbent government” when he was underestimated in 2022, referring to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA regime.
During the recent press conference, Shinde reassured the public that all was “thanda thanda cool cool“, insisting that despite any breaking news suggesting turmoil, Mahayuti remains united. “What is a cold war? There is nothing like that. In this scorching heat of Maharashtra, how is a cold war possible?” he stated.
Addressing his earlier comments about not being taken lightly, Shinde clarified that they were aimed at those who underestimated him, emphasizing that he has taught them a lesson. Fadnavis echoed his sentiments, affirming their robust partnership to the audience.
