Maharashtra: BJP vs Sena feud escalates after 20 ministers lose Y+ security cover

The ongoing friction between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has escalated, as the home department overseen by the CM downgraded the security detail for over 20 Shiv Sena MLAs, who are not part of the ministerial cabinet, from Y+ category protection to just one constable, ToI’s Prafulla Marpakwar reported on February 18. Additionally, security provisions for several other Sena leaders were also revoked. In a move to maintain a semblance of balance, the home department also withdrew security from a few politicians affiliated with the BJP and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, although the number of Sena leaders affected by these changes far exceeds that of their counterparts.

In a further display of inter-party rivalry within the Mahayuti government, Shinde conducted a review meeting for the industries department, which is managed by Sena’s Uday Samant, despite Fadnavis having held a similar meeting in January. This review came shortly after Samant expressed concerns in a letter regarding the lack of communication from department officials regarding critical policies.

The ongoing standoff between the BJP and Sena originally arose over guardian minister roles for Raigad and Nashik, a conflict that remains unresolved and has now expanded into other spheres of governance. For instance, Shinde notably skipped a meeting of the Nashik Metropolitan Regional Development Authority convened by Fadnavis to discuss preparations for the Kumbh Mela in 2027, subsequently hosting his own review on the matter. Recently, he established a Deputy CM’s Medical Aid Cell in Mantralaya, appointing a close associate to lead it—an unprecedented move for a deputy CM, even as the CM’s Relief Fund Cell remains operational.

Moreover, Shinde was initially excluded from the Maharashtra Disaster Management Authority when Fadnavis was appointed its head; however, just two days later, adjustments were made to include Shinde. Additionally, a bureaucrat was designated as the chairperson of MSRTC, a role typically held by the transport minister, who currently belongs to the Sena.Officials have pointed out that the simultaneous review meetings conducted by both the CM and the deputy CM lead to unnecessary duplication of efforts. “Technically, the deputy CM possesses no additional powers beyond those of a cabinet minister. While Shinde is conducting review meetings, all final policy determinations rest with the CM, and every file requires his endorsement. Thus, beyond providing a status update, the deputy CM’s review meetings lack substantive impact,” commented a former bureaucrat. Political analysts have suggested that Shinde’s meetings primarily serve an optical purpose.

In the home department’s announcement on Monday, the majority of cabinet members were assigned Y+ security cover, including escort vehicles. Fadnavis confirmed to TOI that security provisions had indeed been reduced for an array of leaders. A BJP official noted, “The threat perception committee conducted a realistic assessment of security needs for both politicians and non-political individuals, and based on its recommendations, security was downgraded.”

Back in October 2022, shortly after Shinde ascended to the role of CM following his split from Uddhav Thackeray, Y-security with escort vehicles was allocated to 44 legislators and 11 Lok Sabha members who had joined him. Following last year’s Lok Sabha and assembly elections, the categorized security was maintained despite many MPs and MLAs facing electoral defeat. Presently, with the exception of ministers, security has been downgraded for all legislators, while that for former MPs has been completely rescinded.

According to the BJP official, those who lost their security included state BJP working president Ravindra Chavan, a trusted aide of the CM, Pravin Darekar, ex-minister Suresh Khade (BJP), Gadchiroli MLA Deorao Holi (BJP), Nanded MLA Pratap Patil Chikhalikar (NCP), independent MLA Ravi Rana, and activist Krishna Gajbe. Additionally, security for former ministers Dilip Walse Patil (NCP), Deepak Kesarkar, and Ramdas Kadam—both close associates of Shinde—was also withdrawn. Meanwhile, high-profile figures such as Governor C P Radhakrishnan, Fadnavis, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, and both deputy CMs will continue to receive the highest level of Z-plus security. Aaditya Thackeray and VHP’s international general secretary Milind Parande have been assigned Z cover, while MNS president Raj Thackeray is under Y+ protection with an escort vehicle. Members of the Ambani family, as well as individuals like CM’s family members, NCP working president Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar’s wife Pratibha Pawar, and celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and Salman Khan, were also granted categorized security based on payment agreements.