On February 18, Fadnavis unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Badlapur, Thane district. Despite being the guardian minister of Thane, Shinde did not attend the ceremony. Local MLA Kisan Kathore confirmed Shinde's invitation but noted his absence. The following day, during the Maratha king's birth anniversary celebrations at the historic Agra Fort and the inauguration of the second phase of the Shivsrushti theme park in Ambegaon Budruk, Shinde was again missing, while Fadnavis presided over both events.
Insiders suggest that Shinde has been deliberately avoiding meetings convened by Fadnavis, opting instead to hold separate sessions with the same departments. For instance, he recently reviewed preparations for the 2027 Kumbh Mela in Nashik, shortly after a similar review by the Chief Minister. Similarly, Shinde chaired a meeting with the Industries Department just days after Fadnavis had conducted one. He also skipped key discussions on urban development and the Mumbai-Thane budget but later conducted his own reviews.
The friction became more evident when Shinde was initially excluded from the State Disaster Management Committee. After expressing his dissatisfaction, the government amended the rules to include him, highlighting the ongoing power tussle within the alliance. Further tensions arose when BJP leader and Palghar Guardian Minister, Ganesh Naik, announced a public meeting in Thane, a stronghold of Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction. In response, Shinde has limited his visits to Mantralaya, preferring to operate from the Sahyadri Guest House and his official residence, while focusing on strengthening his party’s organisational structure.
Opposition leaders have seized upon these developments. Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole alleged that the ruling alliance is grappling with internal conflicts, leading to administrative chaos. He criticised Fadnavis for failing to manage his responsibilities and accused the government of corruption and neglecting farmers' issues. Patole stated, "The state is in turmoil because CM Fadnavis is failing to fulfil his responsibilities. He must do justice to the chief ministerial post."