Mumbai, Nov 2026 : Tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Maharashtra have intensified, with differences between the ruling Mahayuti alliance partners spilling into a public war of words and a series of provocative social media posters.
Concerned over the growing confrontation, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has reportedly asked his party leaders to exercise restraint and avoid making public statements targeting the BJP. The move comes amid concerns that the escalating dispute could affect the stability and functioning of the Mahayuti government.
The latest developments have exposed differences between the two parties over political influence, organisational control and cooperation in electoral contests.
The tensions have also intensified following allegations made by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange through an audio clip, which purportedly refers to a Rs 500-crore financial transaction involving Shinde and his son, Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde. The allegations have added to the political pressure on the Shiv Sena leadership.
The recent Maharashtra Legislative Council elections further widened the rift. The Mahayuti alliance won only two of the five seats, while the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) secured three.
The BJP faced setbacks in the Pune, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar graduates' constituencies. Following the results, some BJP leaders accused their alliance partners of failing to support official Mahayuti candidates and alleged that Shiv Sena leaders had worked against the coalition's nominees.
BJP spokesperson Navnath Ban publicly criticised the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, accusing party leaders Ravindra Dhangekar and Abdul Sattar of working against alliance candidates. He also called on Shinde to take disciplinary action against those allegedly responsible for the defeats.
The Shiv Sena rejected the accusations, maintaining that the BJP should take responsibility for its electoral performance instead of blaming its partners.
The results also triggered demands within the Shiv Sena for Shinde to return as Maharashtra Chief Minister, replacing Devendra Fadnavis. Dhangekar reportedly argued that the outcome reflected dissatisfaction with the state government's leadership and suggested that Shinde should be given another opportunity to head the government. The remarks reportedly upset the BJP leadership.
The dispute has since moved to social media, where leaders from both parties have exchanged personal attacks through posters and AI-generated images.
Dhangekar took aim at BJP spokesperson Ban by sharing an AI-generated poster depicting him as a dog tied with a rope and being offered bread. The image was accompanied by derogatory remarks targeting the BJP leader.
Ban responded by sharing an image of a chameleon wrapped in the flags of different political parties, including the Congress, Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The image appeared to question Dhangekar's political affiliations and alleged shifting loyalties.
The exchange followed earlier attacks by BJP leaders, who had reportedly described Dhangekar as a "Money Strap Brand".
The public spat has highlighted the growing trust deficit between the BJP and Shiv Sena, despite their partnership in the Maharashtra government and at the Centre. Their differences over candidate selection, electoral strategy and political positioning have increasingly become a source of friction within the ruling alliance.
Shinde is understood to be keen to prevent the confrontation from escalating further. His reported appeal for restraint reflects the concern that continued public attacks could damage the Mahayuti alliance's image and complicate coordination between its constituents.
With the BJP and Shiv Sena continuing to compete for political space and influence in Maharashtra, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the alliance leadership can contain the differences and restore coordination within the ruling coalition.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
