Shinde Sena ministers protest fund cuts by finance officials at Maharashtra Cabinet meeting

With the political climate in the state already heated for various reasons, activity has picked up again. Ministers of the Shiv Sena Shinde faction are reported to have expressed displeasure at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The distribution of funds is said to be at the root of the discontent. Political circles are now discussing what exactly happened at the meeting and what lies behind the displeasure.

An audio clip released by Manoj Jarange Patil had already fuelled a row between the Shiv Sena Shinde faction and the BJP. Now relations within the Mahayuti are understood to have soured again. With the mood in the alliance somewhat strained, the atmosphere at the Cabinet meeting is also said to have turned tense.

According to the information available, Shiv Sena ministers have complained to the Chief Minister. The Shinde faction has questioned the conduct of some officials in the finance department. The faction's complaint is that these officials are cutting funds the government has sanctioned. In other words, the Shinde faction objects that funds are being reduced even after they have been approved.

Sources say the question was also raised of who gave officials the authority to trim funds once the government has sanctioned them. The Shinde faction's ministers are also reported to have demanded action against the officials concerned. Political circles are now watching what decision Chief Minister Fadnavis takes on the matter.

Meanwhile, the alleged audio clip played out by Manoj Jarange Patil, leader of the Maratha reservation agitation, has also heated up the political climate. The clip claims that the BJP gave Eknath Shinde Rs 500 crore to manage Jarange.

Eknath Shinde has clarified that he has no connection with the matter and that he has not taken Rs 500 crore. Even so, leaders of the Shiv Sena Shinde faction and the BJP appear to be locked in a sharp exchange.

There is curiosity about what happens in the Cabinet on both issues, the displeasure over fund distribution and the alleged audio clip. It remains to be seen whether these issues expose the differences between the BJP and the Shinde faction further.

However, until the final decision at the meeting or official details of the discussion emerge, it would not be appropriate to treat talk in political circles as a firm conclusion.