Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday, accompanied by his family, in what appeared to be a show of continued alliance strength and personal rapport.
The visit came hours after Shinde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where he reiterated that the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, will contest local body elections in Maharashtra together.
Shiv Sena’s ‘Unconditional Support’ to NDA for VP Poll
In a statement issued after the meetings, Shinde announced unconditional support from his Shiv Sena faction to the NDA’s candidate for the upcoming vice-presidential election on September 9, necessitated by Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation last month.
"Our party stands firmly with the NDA," Shinde stated. He added that during the meeting with PM Modi, the prime minister acknowledged Amit Shah’s recent milestone as India’s longest-serving Home Minister — a fact Shinde and his party MPs congratulated Shah for.
Praise for Shah and Bal Thackeray’s Vision
Lauding Shah’s leadership, Shinde credited him for "fulfilling Bal Thackeray’s dream" by abrogating Article 370, and for leading decisive action against terrorism and Naxalism.
"From cooperative development to national security, Shah’s contributions have been exemplary," Shinde said.
Dismisses Rift Rumours With Fadnavis
The visit also triggered fresh speculation about tensions between Shinde and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, given the frequency of the deputy CM’s Delhi visits. However, Shinde rubbished such rumours.
“There is no strain in our relationship. We are working together for the development of Maharashtra,” he clarified to reporters, seeking to silence any talk of internal friction within the Mahayuti alliance.
