'No cold war with Fadnavis': Shinde refutes reports of rift
What's the story
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has dismissed claims of a rift in the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena. He said there is "absolutely no cold war" with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The reports of rift surfaced after Shinde set up a medical aid cell at Mantralaya, even when the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) already existed.
Cell explanation
Shinde clarifies purpose of new medical aid cell
Refuting the claims, Shinde said, "We are united...against those who oppose development." He clarified that the new cell would work with the Chief Minister's War Room to enhance service delivery. He stressed that the cell isn't a competing system but a reconstitution of a similar initiative set up by Fadnavis when he was deputy chief minister. Mangesh Chivate, who will head the new medical cell, said it won't disburse funds but help patients access relief through existing government schemes.
CM's support
Fadnavis supports Shinde's initiative, downplays controversy
Fadnavis backed Shinde's move saying there is nothing wrong in forming such a cell. "There is nothing wrong in the formation of such a cell as its aim is to help people. When I was the deputy chief minister, I had formed a similar cell," Fadnavis said. The rumors of friction in the Mahayuti alliance heightened when the Home Department under Fadnavis recently downgraded Y-security cover of 20 MLAs of Shinde's Shiv Sena faction.
Accusations
Raut accuses BJP of manipulating EVMs, criticizes government
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut warned that continuing to govern like this could result in political chaos. He accused the BJP of tampering with electronic voting machines and slammed the Mahayuti government over law and order situation after a murder case in Beed district. Raut also alleged that the administration is turning a blind eye to public concerns and accused Fadnavis of shielding people connected to his past associations in BJP's youth wing.