Speculations fuel over fracture in Mahayuti as Shinde, Gogawale skip cabinet meeting
The move comes against the backdrop of long-pending appointments of guardian ministers in two districts- Raigad and Nashik. Sena ministers Gogawale and Dada Bhuse both have been lobbying for these posts.
On Monday, the state's General Administration Department issued a circular naming Tatkare for Raigad and Mahajan for Nashik for the flag hoisting for Independence day. Sena leaders say this was perceived as a political snub to their claimants.
Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders seized the opportunity, with Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleging that Shinde had been 'shown his place' by the local BJP leaders and Shinde had even complained to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about being sidelined.
Shinde-led Sena leaders however denied having any fissures in the alliance and said that Shinde could not attend the meeting since he is currently in Srinagar after attending a blood donation camp in Jammu, and Gogawale is in Delhi and hence both were absent from the cabinet meeting.
Sena functionaries insisted both had informed the CM's office in advance and had officially taken leave.
Gogawale reiterated his ambitions for the Raigad post but denied any personal animosity. 'I am 100 percent committed to the guardian ministership. There is a difference between hoisting the flag and the guardian ministership. Just because someone hoists the flag doesn't make them the guardian minister. Whatever decision the seniors take, we will accept. I have no objection to Aditi Tatkare hoisting the flag,' he said, adding that he hoped the decision on guardian ministerships would come 'after the flag-hoisting.'
The discontent within the Shinde camp is not limited to the guardian minister row.
In recent weeks, Sena MLAs — including Sanjay Gaikwad — have openly complained of not receiving development funds for their constituencies for over 10 months. Gaikwad, considered a close aide of Shinde, said that while Dy CM Shinde, CM Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar had assured that the situation would improve, the lack of funds had created frustration among legislators.
Minister Pratap Sarnaik, however, dismissed these claims, saying funds were being allocated for departmental works such as transport infrastructure.
In Nashik, the decision to assign Mahajan the flag-hoisting duty over Sena's Dada Bhuse has sparked similar murmurs. Sena minister Uday Samant attempted to calm the waters, saying the Independence Day list was 'only about flag-hoisting' and not a declaration of guardian ministers.
He also stressed that in his personal view, 'Dada Bhuse should be Nashik's guardian minister and Bharat Gogawale for Raigad,' but that the final decision rests with Shinde, who will consult the alliance leaders.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
17 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
ICAI holds council meeting in Pahalgam, 1st major gathering since terror attack
In a gesture of solidarity, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) chose the serene valley of Pahalgam to celebrate India's 79th Independence Day, becoming the first national institution to hold a high-level meeting there since the attack on April 22 when terrorists shot dead 26 civilians. ICAI president said "As we celebrate the 79th Independence Day in Pahalgam, our message is clear, ICAI stands united with the Valley."(X/@CM_JnK) The gathering of around 150 members comprising ICAI members and their families served as a beacon of hope for a community still reeling from loss and uncertainty in the aftermath of the April terror attack. The ICAI decided to host its 445th council meeting in Pahalgam from August 12–14, 2025 and its president Charanjot Singh Nanda said it was a conscious effort to rebuild trust and signal a return to normalcy. "As we celebrate the 79th Independence Day in Pahalgam, our message is clear, ICAI stands united with the Valley. Our presence here is more than symbolic; it is a testament to hope, a reaffirmation that normal life will return, and a promise to work together for lasting peace and shared prosperity," Nanda said after hoisting the national tricolour at Pine and Peak Hotel where they celebrated the Independence Day. He said the bookings were done in March for hosting the event in May but had to be postponed because of the unfortunate incident. "The prime minister, the home minister assured the country that it was safe to travel to Pahalgam and therefore, we took the decision," Nanda said, adding he was personally enthused to see Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah leading the campaign for a revival of tourism in Kashmir Valley. "This council meeting was not just an agenda of governance, it was a declaration of courage, continuity, and collective resilience. By bringing our members and their families to the Valley, we wanted to show that the spirit of Kashmir remains unshaken. "Beyond our role in accounting, governance reforms, and economic revival, ICAI is committed to standing firm against the forces of terror, and to being a partner in building a secure and thriving future for this land," he said. Vice President of ICAI, Prasanna Kumar D, said his organisation "is the first institution to visit Pahalgam with its entire senior leadership after the tragic incident. "It is a proud moment to celebrate this Independence Day here. It reflects our commitment to the people of the Valley and solidarity to our armed forces," he said. During various speeches made during the flag hoisting, the ICAI members reaffirmed their commitment to support local livelihoods, encouraging commerce and everyday joys to return to Pahalgam. Earlier on August 12, Abdullah had met the ICAI council members and extended heartfelt thanks for choosing Pahalgam for this landmark event. "Your presence here has a lot of weight… it sends a powerful message of confidence and support. It reflects your belief in this place and reassures our people that better days lie ahead," he said.
Hans India
19 minutes ago
- Hans India
Minor killed as balcony of Udaipur school collapses
Jaipur: A 12-year-old girl was killed while another was injured when the balcony of an under-construction government school collapsed in Udaipur's Kotra area on Friday. The incident took place in Patharwadi village, a tribal-dominated area, where construction of a senior secondary school is underway. Police said the victims, Moli (12) and Payal (11), were playing near the site when the balcony of the hall suddenly gave way. Moli, daughter of Shyama and a resident of Gau Pipal village, had been visiting her maternal uncle in Patharwadi. Moli died under the debris, while Payal, who sustained injuries, is undergoing treatment at a hospital. The collapse sparked anger among villagers, who alleged that substandard materials were used in construction. Police and Education Department officials are investigating the matter. Udaipur Education Department ADPC Nanihal Singh clarified that the school is not operational at this site; classes are being conducted in another building nearby, where Independence Day celebrations were taking place. In Bundi, five students were injured when a false ceiling collapsed during Independence Day celebrations at St. Paul Senior Secondary School. The injured students, Twinkle (13), Adhira (6), Srishti (10), Vinay (10) and Itisha (11), are being treated at the district hospital. In another incident, the wall of a room collapsed at Government Higher Primary School, Fatehganj, Nainwan, Bundi, while children were changing clothes. Fortunately, no one was injured. The incidents follow a July 25 tragedy in Jhalawar, where seven children died after part of Piplodi Government School's building collapsed. Leader of opposition in Rajasthan Assembly, Tika Ram Jully, said, "The news of the tragic death of an innocent girl and the injury of another in Udaipur due to the collapse of a government school balcony, along with the injury of five children in Bundi following the fall of a false ceiling, is deeply saddening and heartbreaking." He said, "Repeated occurrence of these painful incidents expose the government's negligence and the alarming condition of our educational institutions." "It is a matter of deep shame that the government is failing to ensure such a sensitive and vital responsibility - the safety of our children. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed soul, give strength to the bereaved families to bear this unbearable loss, and wish a swift recovery to all the injured," Jully said.
Hans India
19 minutes ago
- Hans India
India Inc. hails PM Modi's call to empower youth, bolster MSMEs
New Delhi: The country's apex business chamber, the Confederation of Indian industry (CII), on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day call for empowering India's youth, strengthening MSMEs and accelerating the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' mission. 'CII is committed to supporting this journey by fostering entrepreneurship, facilitating market linkages for MSMEs, and enabling the skills and infrastructure needed for a truly self-sustaining economy,' the business chamber said in a statement. The milestone of Rs 1 lakh crore youth empowerment initiative of the PM-Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, with its Rs 15,000 support for first-time job seekers, has the potential to create large-scale employment opportunities, enhance skills, and open pathways for sustained livelihoods, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said. MSMEs, as the backbone of India's economy, stand to gain significantly from these measures. Increased access to talent, targeted incentives, and a stronger domestic manufacturing ecosystem will enable them to scale, innovate, and integrate more deeply into global value chains. The emphasis on indigenous capabilities, whether in high-tech sectors like semiconductors, defence systems such as the Sudarshan Chakra Mission, or renewable and energy self-reliance, reinforces the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. "Furthermore, the success of Operation Sindoor reflects India's growing defence capabilities and underscores the imperative of safeguarding national and economic security through enhanced indigenous systems, accelerated development of advanced military technologies, and self-reliance in critical defence infrastructure and supply chains," the statement added.. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a 103-minute Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, marked a watershed moment for its sweeping articulation of a self-reliant, strategically autonomous, and technologically empowered nation. Framed as a roadmap to a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the speech blended policy announcements with ideological clarity, underscoring India's transformation from dependence to global confidence. Among the most ambitious announcements was the rollout of India's first Made in India semiconductor chip by year-end, alongside the opening of the nuclear sector to private players. PM Modi emphasised that self-reliance must extend to jet engines, social media platforms, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals. The National Critical Minerals Mission and the Deepwater Exploration Mission were presented as foundational steps toward securing energy and industrial autonomy, with 1,200 mineral sites under exploration and offshore energy resources being tapped to reduce foreign fuel dependence.
