Sanjay Nirupam alleges hidden agenda to weaken Shinde within Mahayuti

Nagpur: Is everything well within the Mahayuti, the alliance sharing power in Maharashtra? A statement by Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader and former MP Sanjay Nirupam has revived the question. Nirupam alleged that a hidden agenda is being run to weaken Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. His remarks have brought the political tug-of-war within the Mahayuti into focus.

Nirupam said Shinde played a key role in forming the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra by siding with the BJP. Why, then, are attempts being made to weaken him, he asked. He also asked which agenda is at work behind the effort to weaken Shinde. His allegations have raised fresh questions in alliance politics.

Speaking about the defeat in the graduates' constituency election, Nirupam also expressed displeasure over the lack of coordination within the alliance. He said plainly that a lack of coordination was visible during the election. He himself was in charge of Nagpur district, he said, yet he was not given due importance. Nirupam indicated that if allies are not given importance and are not taken into confidence, the opposition parties will benefit directly. Elections are not won on the strength of candidates alone, he said; better coordination among allied parties and a collective strategy are also needed.

Nirupam's statement has again brought to the fore the issue of coordination within the Mahayuti and respect for allies. Questions are being raised about Shinde's role on one hand, and fingers are being pointed at the alliance's strategy after the election defeat on the other. The question now is how the Mahayuti's leaders respond to Nirupam's allegations, and whether any concrete step will be taken to remove the lack of coordination within the alliance.