Shinde flagged what he described as aggressive poaching by the BJP’s state unit president, Ravindra Chavan, of Shiv Sena leaders in the Kalyan–Dombivli region, which is his son Shrikhant Shinde’s Lok Sabha constituency. He warned that such moves were undermining alliance cohesion and potentially handing an electoral advantage to the opposition.
However, the central leadership reportedly made it clear that the BJP would not step back from its expansion agenda and that alliance discipline must be maintained at the state level. One source quoted after the meeting said Shinde was told: “If you have grievances, deal with them at the state level; the BJP cannot prevent individuals from joining the party.”
The meeting lasted around 50 minutes, during which Shinde also raised concerns about outspoken remarks from his camp and the impact of mixed messaging on worker morale and public perception. His ministers had earlier skipped a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, signalling discontent within his faction.
Despite the show of unease, the BJP’s Maharashtra leadership — including Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule — has downplayed any suggestion of friction, describing the discussions as routine coordination ahead of elections. Bawankule emphasised that such internal consultations are par for the course in alliances and that the Mahayuti remains intact.
Political analysts say that the BJP’s open affirmation of its expansion drive signals a strategic shift: while it remains formally aligned with the Shiv Sena and the NCP-Ajit Pawar group in the Mahayuti, it is laying the groundwork to rely on its own strength in the 2029 assembly elections. One senior party source told the press that the BJP “will continue to build on its organisational resources, independent of alliance partners.”
For Shinde, the meeting reflects a delicate balancing act. His repeated visits to Delhi and frequent tête-à-têtes with top BJP leadership have drawn criticism from opposition leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray, who characterised them as displays of personal insecurity rather than coalition strength.
The timing of these developments matters. Local body elections for 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats are scheduled for 2 December, followed by municipal corporation polls likely in January 2026. The electoral theatre is key to control at the grassroots, and any sign of alliance instability can shift dynamics substantially.
Shinde interprets the mood as favourable for the Mahayuti’s prospects but faults both public defections and media speculation for creating confusion among workers and voters. He warned that “avoidable disruptions” could erode the alliance’s momentum.
Beyond the political theatre, this episode offers insight into how the BJP treats its alliance ties. While presenting a united front, the central leadership appears comfortable signalling autonomy to regional partners. The messaging to Shinde — that the BJP remains free to expand while expecting allies to fall in line — may recalibrate intra-alliance power equations in Maharashtra.