Pawar-Shinde meeting fuels talk of shifting political equations in Maharashtra

Amid uncertainty over the survival of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra, speculation arose over NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar’s meeting with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who held a 15-minute discussion with the veteran leader, the nature of which neither of them disclosed.

The unexpected meeting at the state legislature on Wednesday immediately sparked political chatter, with many viewing it as far more than a routine courtesy call at a time when the opposition alliance is facing mounting internal challenges.

Pawar had attended a meeting of the high-powered committee on the long-pending Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute. Once the deliberations concluded, he proceeded directly to Shinde’s chamber, accompanied by senior NCP (SP) leaders Jayant Patil, Jitendra Awhad and Shashikant Shinde.

At the time, the deputy Chief Minister was presiding over a cabinet meeting. According to Shinde’s office, he briefly suspended the proceedings upon being informed of Pawar’s arrival, welcomed him with a shawl and bouquet, and spent around 15 minutes in conversation before returning to the cabinet meeting.

Pawar, meanwhile, remained in the chamber for some time afterwards and interacted with legislators from his party.

Although Shinde’s office maintained that the interaction was merely a courtesy visit, the absence of any disclosure regarding the discussion has only deepened political intrigue. Observers also noted that Pawar chose to meet Shinde rather than Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, regarded as the Mahayuti alliance’s chief political strategist.

The meeting assumes added significance against the backdrop of growing unease within the MVA, comprising the Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT), following the recent defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Members of Parliament to Shinde’s camp.