Mumbai: Maharashtra police has downgraded or withdrawn security given to several politicians, including 20 legislators belonging to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The development is being seen as an indication of rising tensions between chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde. However, both leaders downplayed the reports of rift.Shinde supporters, including 11 Lok Sabha MPs and 44 MLAs, were given Y-security cover after the vertical split in Shiv Sena in June 2022. As per the reports, the security cover for all Shiv Sena MLAs and other leaders, except for ministers, has now been downgraded or withdrawn based on a security assessment. The security cover for leaders from the BJP and the NCP has also been downgraded or withdrawn, but majority of the leaders affected are from the Shiv Sena.Mr. Fadnavis denied there was any political interference in the decision. “Decisions on security cover are taken by the Security Review Committee. The panel reviews the security from time to time and decides accordingly. Therefore, no one should do politics on it,” he said.Denying any differences with the CM, Mr. Shinde said, “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.”The reports of cold war between the two have continued since Shinde was denied the opportunity to continue as the Maharashtra CM. After serving as the CM for two and half years, the Shiv Sena leader had to relinquish the post for Mr. Fadnavis after the 2024 Assembly election.Maharashtra IT Minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar said that there are no differences within the alliance. “Everything is going well in Mahayuti. Chief Minister Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Shinde and (Ajit) Pawar are running the government together,” he said.Earlier, there were reports regarding the resentment among the Mahayuti alliance partners over the post of guardian ministers of various districts. The state government had to withdraw the names of guardian ministers of Nashik and Raigad after protests from Shiv Sena.There are other developments which also indicate one-upmanship between the two leaders. Mr. Shinde has set up the medical aid cell despite presence of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF). The DCM said it will enhance service delivery and not intended to create a competing system.
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