People Of Maharashtra Want Me Back As CM: Eknath Shinde Bargains Hard Over Maharashtra Power Formula

Eknath Shinde seems to be exploring his options to strike a favorable deal with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amid speculations that he may give up his claim to the chief minister’s chair in exchange for influential portfolios.

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Among Shinde’s demands, his insistence on securing the home ministry has gained attention, given his long-standing interest in the portfolio. The home ministry is seen as a critical department, overseeing the police force and playing a vital role in managing the state’s law and order. Shinde’s affinity for the ministry has been well-known within Shiv Sena circles for years.

In 2019, when the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Congress formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, it was clear that Uddhav Thackeray would take the chief minister’s post. At that time, Shinde was keen to bag the home ministry. However, the power-sharing arrangement assigned the home ministry to the NCP. As compensation, the urban development portfolio went to the Shiv Sena, and Shinde was appointed its minister. While urban development is an important department, it does not wield the same political weight as the home ministry.

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In June 2022, Shinde led a rebellion that split the Shiv Sena, ousted the MVA government, and formed a new alliance with the BJP. After becoming chief minister, he once again expressed interest in the home ministry. However, his deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis retained the portfolio for the BJP, ensuring the party’s control over one of the state’s most powerful departments. Now, as the BJP reportedly looks to reclaim the chief minister’s post, Shinde is again pushing to secure the home ministry as part of the ongoing power-sharing negotiations.

Home Ministry: A Crucial Portfolio

The home ministry is the second-most influential position in the cabinet after the chief minister. The minister in charge directly oversees the police force, giving them significant leverage in political strategy, particularly in handling opposition parties and rivals. Though the chief minister already has indirect control over the home ministry, as all major decisions require the chief minister’s approval, direct control over the department offers strategic and political advantages.

Senior police officers and home department officials also report to the chief minister on critical matters, ensuring that the CM remains in the loop. However, Shinde’s push for the home ministry reflects his desire to consolidate power.

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Challenges for Shinde

With political rivals like Uddhav Thackeray and other opposition leaders continuing to challenge him, Shinde’s demand for this portfolio highlights his intent to strengthen his position within the government.

The home ministry has become a focal point of contention between Shinde and Fadnavis, reflecting the larger power struggle within the Mahayuti government. While Shinde leads the coalition as chief minister, the BJP remains the dominant partner. Many BJP legislators believe that Shinde’s insistence on the home ministry stems from his understanding of the portfolio’s political significance.

This ongoing tug-of-war is not limited to the home ministry. Shinde is also reportedly eyeing other influential portfolios, including public works, revenue, industries, and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). These departments oversee major infrastructure and development projects in the state, offering opportunities for visibility and influence.

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For the BJP, retaining the home ministry is crucial. It allows the party to maintain direct control over law enforcement, a significant advantage in both governance and politics.

With speculation that the BJP may reclaim the chief minister’s post, possibly replacing Shinde, ensuring control over key portfolios like the home ministry becomes even more critical. For Shinde, securing influential departments is vital for his political survival. As a leader who emerged from the Shiv Sena’s split, he continues to face challenges from Uddhav Thackeray’s faction, which still holds sway over a section of the electorate. Strengthening his hold over critical portfolios would not only enhance his administrative capabilities but also boost his political standing.

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Implications for Governance

Negotiations over key portfolios are expected to continue until a new power-sharing arrangement is finalized. The BJP and Shinde’s faction will likely engage in prolonged discussions to settle these issues, as both sides aim to maximize their influence within the coalition. The home ministry, public works, revenue, and MSRDC will remain at the center of these negotiations, given their importance in implementing large-scale projects and shaping public perception.

While these political negotiations unfold, the state’s administrative machinery could face challenges. Frequent reshuffles and power struggles often slow down decision-making processes, potentially impacting key projects and governance. Moreover, the ongoing tussle highlights the complexities of coalition politics.

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For Shinde, maintaining relevance within the BJP-dominated alliance requires constant negotiation and assertion. For the BJP, balancing its ambitions with the demands of its allies is a delicate task.

A senior leader from the Eknath Shinde camp told News18 on the condition of anonymity: “We should get the home department as, in the previous government, Fadnavis was deputy chief minister and was holding the portfolio of the home department. In the Congress and NCP regime, Congress claimed the CM post and the NCP always had a home department. With such formulae, we should get the home portfolio.”

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Opposition Criticism

Reacting to the ongoing tussle, Shiv Sena UBT leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut criticized the Mahayuti. “When you have a majority with you, what is holding you back from forming the government? Some say the talks have been halted due to the home department, but I feel it is about a few more portfolios too. Soon, you will come to know the reality.”

As the BJP and Shinde navigate these negotiations, Maharashtra’s political and administrative landscape remains in flux. The eventual distribution of portfolios will shape not just the coalition’s future but also the state’s governance in the coming years.

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