It has been a month since the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government took charge in Maharashtra, basking in the glow of a landslide victory in the Assembly elections last year. But the euphoria has quickly given way to chaos. The coalition—an amalgam of the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP—has stumbled at almost every turn, grappling with infighting, delayed decisions and a lack of coordination that belies the decisive mandate it received.
The Mahayuti entered office with an unprecedented 230 out of 288 seats in the Assembly, a near-total decimation of the Opposition MVA. This mandate carried a clear message: the electorate expects decisive governance, not excuses or political squabbles. Yet, the coalition appears paralyzed by its own internal dynamics.
The first signs of trouble emerged with the sluggish pace of portfolio allocation. It took nearly a month for the triumvirate of Fadnavis, Shinde and Pawar to carve out ministerial responsibilities among the coalition partners. Even after painstaking negotiations, many crucial posts remain contested and tensions are festering.
It appears that Fadnavis, a seasoned administrator with a reputation for discipline, has struggled to assert control. His allies, emboldened by their individual electoral gains, have been unwilling to compromise. Shinde, who relinquished his Chief Ministerial ambitions after the BJP’s strong performance, had pitched for heavyweight portfolios like Home, only to be rebuffed. This jockeying had spilled over into other critical departments, delaying governance at a time when Maharashtra urgently needs attention on infrastructure and social welfare.
Adding to the complications are ministers who have courted controversy. Allegations linking NCP minister Dhananjay Munde’s close aide to the murder of a sarpanch in Beed have prompted calls for his resignation. These controversies not only undermine the government’s image but also distract from its ability to deliver on its promises.
The issue of appointing District Guardian Ministers has become the latest flashpoint. These positions are coveted not only for their role in overseeing development funds but also for their influence in local politics. In Pune, Ajit Pawar, who has held the post for two decades, is determined to retain it. However, the BJP’s Chandrakant Patil and Shiv Sena leaders are staking claims. Similar power struggles are unfolding in Nashik and Raigad. In Beed, opposition to Munde’s potential appointment is strong in wake of the sarpanch murder case.
Fadnavis must navigate the egos of coalition partners, while keeping an eye on Maharashtra’s development. The absence of visible governance in the first month of the Mahayuti government has left the people wondering if their overwhelming vote for change will result in the same old problems of political gridlock and inefficiency.
Unless the coalition presents a cohesive front, it risks squandering the political capital it earned in November. The people of Maharashtra have voted for stability and governance, not for a coalition perpetually at war with itself. The clock is ticking, and the honeymoon is over.
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