Aaditya Thackeray accuses BJP of using Shinde to block Fadnavis PM ambitions

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray has levelled sharp criticism at the BJP, accusing the party of using Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a tool to silence dissent in Maharashtra while simultaneously preventing rival Devendra Fadnavis from ascending to the top political office in India.

In an exclusive interview, Thackeray stated that the BJP's strategy involves boosting Shinde's political position and influence within the state to keep Fadnavis out of contention for the prime minister's post. He framed this as part of a larger effort by the BJP to crush the independent voice of Maharashtra and consolidate its grip over the state through political manoeuvring rather than democratic consensus.

The allegations reflect deepening fissures between coalition partners in Maharashtra's government. While the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the NCP govern the state together, internal rivalries and competing political ambitions have created tensions. Thackeray's comments suggest that the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), which he leads from the opposition, views the current power-sharing arrangement as disadvantageous to Maharashtra's democratic institutions.

Thackeray's statement highlights concerns about how national political rivalries between senior leaders are playing out at the state level. The elevation of Shinde, who split from the original Shiv Sena in 2022, to the chief minister's position was seen by some observers as a way to weaken the Uddhav Thackeray faction. Thackeray's latest comments suggest he believes this strategy extends beyond state politics to influence national leadership calculations within the BJP.

The interview underscores the complex political landscape in Maharashtra, where multiple factions compete for influence despite governing together. With questions about future leadership arrangements at both state and national levels, political observers are watching how these tensions evolve and whether they impact governance or election strategies in the coming months.

Thackeray's criticism also reflects the opposition's broader narrative that the current government prioritises internal party politics over Maharashtra's development and democratic functioning.