Shinde Sena leaders complain to Eknath Shinde that BJP is sidelining them in Mahayuti

Manoj Jarange Patil had played an alleged audio clip to Maharashtra. In it, some BJP members appear to discuss Rs 500 crore being given to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to "manage" Jarange Patil. The clip caused a stir in political circles and led to considerable friction between the Shinde Sena and the BJP. That dispute had not died down when the BJP suffered a crushing defeat in the Legislative Council election, and the two parties were again at odds.

Shinde Sena leaders have now complained to Eknath Shinde of being suffocated within the Mahayuti. The complaint is against the BJP, which suggests that all is still not well in the alliance.

Party leaders say that for the past year the BJP has been pushing Shiv Sena leaders aside at government events. They called this highly improper and took their concern directly to Eknath Shinde. These leaders feel they are being treated like stepchildren.

They are upset at being sidelined at the Samvidhan Bachav padyatra, the unveiling of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Navi Mumbai airport, an event to hand over house keys in Colaba, and the drought meeting at the Varsha bungalow. According to sources, Shiv Sena MPs, MLAs and corporators said in anger that if they are to be sidelined even while in the alliance, there is no point in the alliance.

They also asked angrily who had given administrative officers the authority to ignore them and listen only to BJP leaders.

Eknath Shinde is reported to have heard the complaints and assured the leaders that a proper solution would be found and that they should not worry.

The Shiv Sena and the BJP have been at odds for the past 15 days, bringing unease within the Mahayuti into the open. All eyes are now on what steps senior leaders take to calm the situation.