Mumbai, June 23: Shiv Sena (UBT) launched a sharp attack on the ruling Mahayuti coalition on Tuesday, accusing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of pushing Maharashtra back by 25 years and tarnishing the state’s reputation.
The party claimed that Shinde’s arrogant, money-driven political tactics would ultimately backfire on Fadnavis. They allege that a faction within the BJP leadership in Delhi is openly encouraging Shinde to challenge the authority of the Chief Minister.
In an editorial in their mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, the Thackeray faction accused the Mahayuti government of celebrating deceit. They referenced ‘Operation Tiger,’ where six rebel MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) joined Shinde’s faction on Monday.
The editorial stated, “Instead of addressing serious issues troubling Maharashtra, Fadnavis expressed joy over the defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs. He claimed that the ‘operation of deceit’ was successful and the patient is fine.”
It criticized Fadnavis for being satisfied with praising traitors at a time when Maharashtra is grappling with numerous significant challenges. The editorial humorously likened it to Shinde giving birth to six healthy traitors, an operation allegedly costing around 500 crores.
It questioned, “Now that Shinde has given birth to six traitors and Amit Shah is distributing sweets in Delhi, the Chief Minister should clarify who the real parents of these defectors are.”
The editorial lamented that while the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj once instilled fear in the hearts of traitors, the current leadership is actively celebrating political defections and making deceit Maharashtra’s new identity.
The Thackeray faction also strongly criticized the government’s administrative negligence. They noted, “Due to delayed rains, rural Maharashtra is facing a severe water crisis, leading to mass migration and a shortage of fodder for livestock. The water levels in seven dams supplying Mumbai have dangerously dropped to 8.5%, necessitating immediate water cuts.”
They alleged that Maharashtra is at the center of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scandal, claiming that those arrested have close ties to the BJP, jeopardizing the future of the state’s youth. The Thackeray faction demanded that the Assembly session be adjourned until Fadnavis addresses the issues raised by the opposition.
The editorial criticized the deteriorating conditions for farmers across Maharashtra. It questioned how the government plans to empower farmers when they are not receiving fair benefits from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and crop insurance.
Despite Fadnavis recently stating that loan waivers are not a permanent solution, the editorial raised concerns about the ongoing farmer suicides. It pointed out that while the ruling coalition claims it lacks funds for distressed farmers, it has no shortage of money for buying politicians.
It accused, “Today, MLAs and MPs have become genuine ‘goods’ with guaranteed high prices, while ordinary farmers are left entirely to fate.”
Uddhav Sena also highlighted the government’s failures, including rising unemployment, deteriorating law and order, and severe drought conditions in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
The party claimed that the government’s flagship ‘Ladki Behna’ scheme has proven to be a deception, alleging that financial assistance to 8.1 million women was halted immediately after the elections.
Expressing concern over the state of democracy, the editorial criticized the lack of effective representation for the opposition in the Assembly, noting that both houses are currently operating without a leader of the opposition. It accused the ruling coalition of deliberately delaying appointments to avoid scrutiny and uncomfortable questions in the house.
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