Shinde’s Flagship Schemes Go Quiet In Maharashtra; BJP, Sena Dismiss Opposition's 'Rift' Claims

Last Updated:October 13, 2025, 14:26 IST

Krishna Hegde, senior Shinde Sena leader, maintained that the alliance remains intact and that many schemes are simply being recalibrated or redirected toward priority areas.

Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. (Image: BMC)

A quiet but telling development within Maharashtra’s political corridors has sparked a new round of speculation — several flagship schemes launched during Eknath Shinde’s tenure as Chief Minister appear to have been pushed into cold storage. From the ‘Anandacha Shidha’ and ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Shala, Sundar Shala’ initiatives to the Re 1 Crop Insurance Scheme and Swachhta Monitor, multiple projects once promoted as Shinde’s people-centric governance models have either stalled or been discontinued this year.

The Opposition, however, sees more than just administrative delays behind this silence. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, took to social media to allege growing discontent within the Mahayuti government and accused the BJP of sidelining its ally.

“By shutting down schemes that were meant to bring even a small benefit to the common people, the Devendra Fadnavis government has effectively dismissed the decisions of its own allies," Danve said. “Interestingly, those who once called the shots — the so-called ‘plot leaders’ who switched sides — are now silent on the issue, busy praising the ‘Bullet Train’ dream of the ruling power instead."

Danve listed several discontinued projects, including Anandacha Shidha, Majhi Sundar Shala, One State, One Uniform, Ladkya Bhavala Apprenticeship, and Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana, asserting that the BJP-led administration was “closing down every scheme that had the Shinde stamp." “We will make sure to expose the hollowness of such election-driven politics before the people," he added.

‘Work Has Not Stopped Anywhere’: Shinde Sena

Leaders from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, however, have dismissed any notion of internal conflict. Krishna Hegde, senior Sena leader from the Shinde camp, maintained that the alliance remains intact and that many schemes are simply being recalibrated or redirected toward priority areas. “We are in alliance and fought elections together, and now we are also preparing for local body polls as one front against Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT). So there is no question of Eknath Shinde getting sidelined in this alliance," Hegde said.

“The government may have paused some of the earlier schemes because funds have been diverted to the Ladki Bahin initiative and to 32 flood-affected districts. But our party has continued distributing essential kits to needy families. The work Eknath Shinde started has not stopped anywhere."

The ‘Anandacha Shidha’ programme — launched to provide essential household items to low-income families during festive seasons — and the ‘Majhi Shala, Sundar Shala’ initiative to modernise schools were among Shinde’s signature schemes. While officials maintain that these projects are “under review," their absence from the current budget cycle has fuelled speculation about shifting power equations within the Mahayuti, where Shinde now serves as Deputy Chief Minister alongside Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

‘There’s More Coordination, Not Less’: BJP

The BJP, too, has rubbished the Opposition’s claims, insisting that the alliance remains united and focused on governance. Navnath Ban, Chief of the Communication Department, Maharashtra BJP, said that periodic reviews of schemes were part of good governance and not a sign of friction.

“There is no competition between Mahayuti leaders — especially between Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar," Ban asserted. “Our government is not like the previous one, where the head of the government used to sit at home and work. The Mahayuti is working together for the people."

“Every government reviews its schemes and enhances them to serve people better. Those who are trying to defame our government should know there is far more coordination among the three top leaders of the Mahayuti than there ever was in the MVA."

As Maharashtra heads toward crucial local body elections, the shelving of Shinde’s marquee schemes has become more than an administrative question — it’s a political signal being read in multiple ways. For the Opposition, it’s ammunition to allege a deepening rift; for the ruling alliance, it’s merely routine governance realignment.

Mayuresh Ganapatye

Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa...Read More

Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa...

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News politics Shinde’s Flagship Schemes Go Quiet In Maharashtra; BJP, Sena Dismiss Opposition's 'Rift' Claims

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