The Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of at least 26 people and injured many others, has not only sent shockwaves across India but has also sparked visible political tension within Maharashtra's Mahayuti coalition. The internal rivalry between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has once again come to the fore, with both leaders seemingly engaged in a contest for leadership in the crisis management and relief efforts following the tragedy.

Parallel Relief Efforts and Political Fallout

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, Fadnavis quickly mobilized his resources, sending senior BJP minister Girish Mahajan to Srinagar as the official point of contact for the Maharashtra government with the Jammu & Kashmir administration. Additionally, BJP leaders Ashish Shelar and Mangal Prabhat Lodha were stationed at Mumbai airport to oversee the repatriation of deceased victims and returning tourists. Meanwhile, Minister of State Madhuri Misal was dispatched to Pune airport to ensure the smooth coordination of local arrangements for returning tourists.

In contrast, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, opting for an independent approach, flew to Srinagar on a special flight on Wednesday evening, bypassing the BJP’s official channels. His actions included deploying his own party’s ministers—Dada Bhuse, Gulabrao Patil, and Yogesh Kadam—to Mumbai and Pune airports, replicating the BJP’s efforts. This parallel deployment of ministers and relief efforts has triggered questions about the coordination within the Maharashtra government, with accusations that the BJP failed to involve their allies in the relief planning.

Shinde's Visit to Srinagar and the Political Narrative

During his visit to Srinagar, Shinde took time to meet victims of the terror attack, including Subodh Patil, a tourist from Kamothe in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, who was injured in the attack. Shinde reassured Patil and promised full assistance for his recovery and return home. Shinde also personally oversaw the return of 70 tourists to Mumbai via a special flight and arranged for two more flights to bring back a total of 183 people from Kashmir.

Despite his assertions that the primary objective of his visit was to ensure the safety and return of tourists from Maharashtra, the timing of his actions and his independent coordination with relief measures has stoked tensions. Shinde’s own faction of the Shiv Sena defended his actions, claiming that BJP’s failure to communicate and coordinate with coalition partners led to this public divide.

Shiv Sena’s Allegations of BJP’s Poor Coordination

Shiv Sena leaders have accused the BJP of sidelining them in the relief efforts, suggesting that better coordination between the two parties could have avoided the confusion and rivalry seen in their parallel responses. According to a Shiv Sena leader, had the BJP involved the alliance partners from the beginning, things would have proceeded more smoothly. “Had the BJP taken all the alliance partners into confidence and given them specific roles to play, things would have been better,” the leader said, criticizing the lack of a unified strategy.

This criticism is part of a larger pattern of tension between the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), which has been simmering ever since Shinde’s faction broke away from the original Shiv Sena and aligned with the BJP. For months, the Shiv Sena has accused the BJP of undermining Shinde’s leadership and of privileging BJP ally Ajit Pawar in important portfolio allocations and decision-making processes, contributing to the strained dynamics within the coalition.

Implications for the Mahayuti Government

This episode further highlights the fragility of the Mahayuti coalition, which has struggled with internal discord from the very beginning. The ongoing power struggle between the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) seems to be escalating with every passing day, especially in the volatile environment of Maharashtra politics.

While the BJP has traditionally been the dominant partner in the coalition, the Shiv Sena’s demands for greater recognition and influence within the government are growing louder. The apparent lack of coordination in relief efforts is a manifestation of these political fissures, which have the potential to disrupt the smooth functioning of the state government.

Moreover, this political divide has also impacted the public perception of the government’s ability to manage crises effectively. In a situation that demanded swift and unified action, the lack of a cohesive response from the ruling coalition only served to expose the deeper issues at play.

Conclusion: Growing Rift and Its Impact

The Pahalgam terror attack has undoubtedly placed a spotlight on the growing tensions within the Maharashtra government, as Fadnavis and Shinde’s parallel responses to the crisis reveal much about the underlying political rift between the BJP and Shiv Sena. As both leaders continue to vie for dominance within the government, it remains to be seen how long this uneasy alliance can hold together, especially as Maharashtra heads into more critical phases of governance and electoral contests.

The unfolding situation suggests that the Mahayuti coalition may face more challenges ahead, with the tension between its major players threatening to destabilize the ruling government. This political drama, however, is far from over, and much will depend on how both factions manage the growing crisis within their ranks.

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