Shrikant Shinde Slams BJP Over ‘Ideological Compromises’, Exposes Growing Rift in MahaYuti Alliance

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : In a sharp escalation of tensions within Maharashtra’s ruling MahaYuti alliance, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Wednesday launched a strong attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of making “ideological compromises” by forging local alliances with the AIMIM and the Congress.

Shrikant Shinde’s criticism follows reports that the BJP partnered with Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM under the banner of the Akot Vikas Manch in Akola to gain control of the municipal council, while also entering into a separate tie-up with the Congress in Ambernath to secure power. Both moves have caused unease within the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, which considers itself a core ideological ally of the BJP.

Questioning the BJP’s political consistency, Shrikant Shinde asked how a party that campaigned aggressively on the slogan “Batenge toh Katenge” (Divided we fall) could align with the AIMIM just weeks later. He described the decision as “painful” for those who believe in Hindutva ideology, warning that such alliances risk diluting the ideological clarity that the MahaYuti alliance claims to represent.

The Sena MP was particularly critical of the situation in Ambernath, regarded as a stronghold of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Despite Shiv Sena emerging as the single largest party in the Ambernath Municipal Council, the BJP allegedly sidelined its ally and joined hands with the Congress to form a majority and secure the President’s post.

“Sidelining a trusted ally to hold hands with the Congress goes against the spirit of the MahaYuti,” Shrikant Shinde said. He cautioned that such “unnatural alliances” formed solely for local power could confuse voters and weaken the alliance’s credibility, especially ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

Addressing the media, Shrikant Shinde added, “You should ask the BJP how they formed these alliances. Their leaders may have done this for power. Senior BJP leaders should take action on this.”

His remarks came a day after the BJP-led Akot Vikas Manch was formally constituted in Akola. The front, which includes the AIMIM, commands 25 members plus the President, taking its total strength to 26 in a 33-member council. The Congress, with six members, and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, with two, will now sit in the opposition.

In Ambernath’s 60-member municipal council, the Shiv Sena won 27 seats, followed by the BJP with 14, Congress 12, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) 4, and independents 3. Despite these numbers, the BJP managed to stitch together a working majority through an unlikely coalition.

Political observers say Shrikant Shinde’s attack highlights a growing “big brother versus local ally” friction within the MahaYuti. While the BJP maintains that such arrangements are local-level adjustments driven by numbers rather than ideology, the Shinde faction views them as a direct challenge to its dominance in key municipal pockets.

With both parties competing for the same pro-Hindutva and pro-development voter base, analysts warn that unresolved tensions could cast a shadow over the alliance’s unity as the high-stakes BMC elections draw closer.

Team Maverick.