Eknath Shinde dismisses 'cold war' claims with CM Fadnavis: 'We are thanda thanda cool cool...'

Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde

Amid reports suggesting friction between Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputy Eknath Shinde, the latter has asserted that there is no "cold war" between them.

Denying reports of internal strife, deputy CM Shinde also criticised the Maha Vikas Aghadi and INDI alliance, remarking that "there is no cold war" because he is not aligned with the Opposition.

“There is no cold war as this is not Maha Vikas Aghadi or INDI alliance. Our war is with the people who are opposing the development of Maharashtra,” Shinde said, adding that they are united towards the progress of the state.

“We are ‘thanda thanda cool cool'…," the deputy CM said jokingly.

The alleged deadlock between BJP and Sena -- initially triggered by the unresolved allocation of guardian minister posts for Raigad and Nashik -- has now extended to other areas of authority.

The state home department, under CM Fadnavis, recently reduced the security cover for more than 20 Shiv Sena MLAs who are not ministers, downgrading them from Y+ category to a single constable, according to a report by CNN News-18.

Security for some other Sena leaders was also revoked, a move widely perceived as a reflection of increasing friction between the state’s top leadership.

At the same time, security cover for a few BJP and Ajit Pawar-led NCP politicians was also withdrawn in what appeared to be a balancing act. However, the number of Sena leaders who faced security downgrades or withdrawals remains higher than others.

Last month, deputy CM Shinde skipped a meeting of Nashik Metropolitan Regional Development Authority called by Fadnavis over preparations for Kumbh Mela in 2027 and thereafter, held his own review meet on the subject, according to a report by Times of India.

Recently, Shinde set up a medical aid cell at Mantralaya despite presence of the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF). Shinde's close aide Mangesh Chivate will head the new medical cell.

"When Shinde was chief minister, I was doing the same work using the CM Relief fund and we helped many people. Now, I will do the same work, except that this cell will not disburse funds, but provide all the assistance to needy patients," Chivate was quoted as saying by PTI.