Eknath Shinde gives meetings a miss as row over guardian ministership continues

The appointment of NCP’s Aditi Tatkare and BJP’s Girish Mahajan as guardian ministers of Raigad and Nashik districts respectively has been stayed after discontent from the Shiv Sena camp. The Sena has staked claim on both districts, with Sena ministers Bharat Gogawale and Dada Bhuse keen to become the guardian ministers of Raigad and Nashik districts, respectively. Shinde has already said there is nothing wrong in aspiring to become the guardian minister. Both the NCP and Sena have said they won’t budge on the issue, resulting in a stalemate.

It was speculated that the issue will be resolved after Fadnavis’ return from the WEF. However, with no solution in sight, Shinde seem to be sulking and expressing his discontent.

On Monday, Fadnavis held a war room meeting to discuss the status of flagship schemes in the social sector. These schemes are from health, housing and water supply departments, which are currently held by Shiv Sena’s Prakash Abitkar, Shinde himself and Gulabrao Patil, respectively. Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar attended the meeting, while Shinde chose to remain absent.

“He also cancelled the review meetings of Urban Development and Water Supply and Sanitation departments planned for today (Monday). We were told that he will not be attending it,” said an official from the Shinde’s office.

Fadnavis, Shinde and Pawar were sworn in on December 5 after prolonged deliberations between Shinde and BJP’s Delhi leadership. It was reported then that Shinde wanted to return as CM, but the BJP leadership chose Fadnavis. Since then, the Sena leader has rarely visited Mantralaya, except for cabinet meetings.