Poll Heat Getting to Mahayuti? Ajit Pawar Exits Cabinet Meeting After Heated Argument With CM Eknath Shinde

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posted on 2 months ago — updated on 1 second ago

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As per sources, the root of the disagreement seemed to be some proposal from Baramati which may have been sent to Eknath Shinde by Sharad Pawar. This reportedly miffed his nephew Ajit Pawar who refused to clear it

A heated argument between Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Ajit Pawar during a cabinet meeting on Thursday led to the latter walking out of the discussion, sources told CNN-News18, triggering buzz of growing tensions in the ruling alliance.

According to sources, the disagreement began when Shinde proposed a series of major announcements aimed at benefiting the state, particularly in the context of the upcoming assembly elections. However, Pawar refused to give his approval to the proposals, expressing strong reservations about some of the them, leading to a heated exchange between the two leaders.

Insiders said the cabinet has been focused on rapidly introducing several important initiatives and welfare schemes ahead of the impending election. The Mahayuti government, led by Eknath Shinde, has been pushing hard to launch various schemes to gain favour with voters. In earlier cabinet meetings, a series of announcements had already been made, highlighting the government’s focus on development.

However, in Thursday’s meeting, the chief minister’s proposal encountered stiff resistance from Pawar. As per sources, the root of the disagreement seemed to be some proposals from Baramati that were moved by Shinde. Source revealed that there was a possibility that the proposals could have come from Sharad Pawar’s office to the chief minister for approval which reportedly miffed his nephew Ajit Pawar who refused to clear it. Though the Cabinet later cleared 38 proposals, there was no clarity if it included the Baramati project.

However, speaking to News18, Ajit Pawar tried to brush away the issue. “I didn’t leave within just 10 minutes of the meeting starting. I left with due permission from Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis as I had scheduled meetings in Latur’s Udgir constituency. I had a flight to catch at 1pm, hence I left the meeting.” He also did not answer any questions about his disagreement with the chief minister.

Sources said Jr Pawar’s refusal to approve Shinde’s proposal and the subsequent argument which led to the former’s exit from the meeting stunned the Cabinet. It also ignited buzz of friction with the government close on the heels of the assembly elections.