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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 4:59:11 pm

Fadnavis reins in Sena’s Marathi push

AI generated image Mumbai: The ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra is witnessing a delicate political balancing act, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis increasingly overriding key decisions of alliance partners, particularly the Shiv Sena, while simultaneously attempting to placate them on other fronts. The tension within the alliance came to the fore on Thursday when Fadnavis stepped in to dilute a controversial mandate enforced by Shiv Sena Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, which...

Fadnavis reins in Sena’s Marathi push

AI generated image Mumbai: The ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra is witnessing a delicate political balancing act, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis increasingly overriding key decisions of alliance partners, particularly the Shiv Sena, while simultaneously attempting to placate them on other fronts. The tension within the alliance came to the fore on Thursday when Fadnavis stepped in to dilute a controversial mandate enforced by Shiv Sena Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, which required auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Mumbai to possess basic Marathi language proficiency. The Transport Department’s enforcement drive, which threatened non-Marathi-speaking drivers with suspension or cancellation of their licences, sparked outrage among North Indian drivers who form a sizeable section of the public transport workforce in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Protests brought parts of Mumbai, including Kandivali and Malad, to a standstill. Recognising the potential electoral fallout, Fadnavis intervened, saying drivers need not be “experts” in Marathi. He also extended the grace period for drivers to acquire a working knowledge of the language to one year, effectively diluting Sarnaik’s hardline stance. Fadnavis announced the decision after a delegation of transport operators met him. The episode highlights the conflicting political compulsions of the Mahayuti partners. Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena is keen to pursue a pro-Marathi, “sons of the soil” agenda to consolidate its traditional voter base and counter the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) faction led by Uddhav Thackeray. The BJP, however, relies heavily on North Indian and migrant voters in the MMR, particularly as crucial civic and state elections approach. Any aggressive regional policy that alienates this constituency could have electoral consequences for the party. The Marathi language issue is not an isolated instance of Fadnavis stepping in to override decisions associated with the Shiv Sena. It fits into a broader pattern of the chief minister’s administration reviewing or reversing several initiatives of the previous government headed by Shinde. In April 2026, the BJP-led Environment Department, headed by Minister Pankaja Munde, scrapped 14 lake conservation projects, 11 of which had been cleared during Shinde’s tenure, and ordered recovery of more than Rs 73 crore. The Fadnavis government has also modified several initiatives introduced by the previous regime. In January 2025, it altered Shinde’s three-course school meal plan, placing the responsibility on local school management committees to raise funds for sweet dishes. In April 2025, the government scrapped the ‘One State, One Uniform’ policy for schools. A Rs 3,200-crore tender for mechanised housekeeping services at government hospitals, issued under the Shinde government, was also stayed. Yet, Fadnavis remains conscious of the need to preserve the fragile alliance. To manage growing resentment within the Sena, he has adopted what can be described as a ‘blow hot, blow cold’ approach — overriding decisions when they clash with the BJP’s broader political interests while offering political concessions on other fronts. One such move was the recent appointment of Shiv Sena leader Bharat Gogawale as Guardian Minister of the politically important Raigad district, ending a 19-month-long tussle over the post. At the same time, the Mahayuti government recently reduced the powers exercised by Guardian Ministers over District Planning Committee (DPC) funds, directing that 70 per cent of the funds be allocated directly to local MLAs. The move is aimed at reducing the concentration of financial powers with individual ministers. As the Mahayuti navigates these competing interests, Fadnavis has also instructed alliance partners to resolve disputes internally and avoid public sparring. However, the latest confrontation over the Marathi language requirement underscores the limits of that arrangement. While Fadnavis continues to use his authority to protect the BJP’s broader electoral interests, the Shiv Sena remains under pressure to assert its regional identity and distinguish itself from the Thackeray faction. With elections approaching, balancing these competing political priorities is likely to remain one of the biggest challenges for the Mahayuti government.

Woman of Substance

A woman is not defined by titles like nurturer or multitasker—she defines herself through her choices, resilience, and the life she builds each day.

Who decides who a woman is? Labels like ‘nurturer’ and ‘multitasker’ are often used — but do they truly define us? No, we define ourselves by our choices and by shaping our lives.


We women are highly inexplicably emotional. Is it our strength or weakness? It's neither a strength nor a weakness. It's just a vital part which exists in all of us. It's an emotion that helps in decision-making and later in taking action.

If emotions are managed well and used constructively, they become our strength, but if they are not managed well, then they lead to challenges, stress, and chaos.


So now the simple answer is "GROW". We want to see our best version.


We all love to see ourselves grow. Does this happen overnight? No, it takes years of hard work, dedication, commitment, and discipline in whatever we pursue. The list of things required to grow is endless. But primarily we need a few basic things for holistic growth.


1) Focus on self-care

Self-care is not selfishness or self-centredness. It is a priority for our own physical and mental well-being.


So do it unapologetically.


Take some time out to pamper yourself. Go to a salon, hang out with friends, and cook wholesome meals for your loved ones. Take a break from mundane activities and plunge into things that bring joy and positivity.

All these fill you up with exuberance.


2) Set goals

Set realistic goals. Take smaller steps towards it. Do not take a huge leap. This helps in your steady growth and fills you with a sense of achievement.


3) Be a learner

Keep learning and polishing new skills, as learning is a never-ending process. Keep gaining knowledge.


Learn, observe, implement, and execution becomes smooth.


4) Develop strong relationships

Relationships are just not about couples. Be it with your spouse, siblings, parents, kids, friends, neighbours, or colleagues, build a positive, strong relationship that should be built on trust, mutual respect, open communication, and support, and navigating through life is eased.

5) Practise Gratitude

How often do we crib over petty issues? Almost several times a day. We focus on things that we do not possess; instead, focus on things that we are blessed with, be thankful to the Almighty every passing second, and you will see magic happening.


When we speak about growth, it's just not financial growth. Overall as a person, we should strive to evolve. Be it emotional, financial, physical, or spiritual upscaling is very important.


To be truly independent is to take charge of your life. Be responsible for your actions. Be accountable. Only then do we learn to assess and take necessary steps and evolve.


That is the type of growth we should bring in ourselves.


We women are beauty-conscious, and we often look for validation. The power is YOU. Don't seek validation. Outer beauty is definitely going to fade away over a period of time.


Wrinkles, dark circles, sagging skin, and grey hair are all going to show up at one point or the other. It's inevitable although it can be delayed by skin treatment, eating right, and a disciplined lifestyle.


But inner beauty never dies. Ageing has to be so graceful that we should feel fulfilled on the inside.


That is true growth, a true achievement in its true sense, where our memory gets poor but our memories are so enriching. A never-give-up attitude keeps you going. So be strong, brave, and resilient no matter what life throws at you. Celebrate womanhood and be a woman of substance.


(The author is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

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