Mahayuti tensions: MLA Mhatre complains to CM Fadnavis over Naik

MUMBAI: A fresh rift has emerged within Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti coalition after BJP MLA Manda Mhatre formally complained to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about alleged misconduct by supporters of NCP leader Ganesh Naik. The immediate trigger was an event in Navi Mumbai where, according to Mhatre, supporters of Naik allegedly heckled her despite her being an invited guest. Mhatre, a legislator from the Bharatiya Janata Party, took her grievance directly to the chief minister, signaling that the incident was not a minor spat but a matter requiring top-level intervention.

The complaint underscores the fragile nature of the alliance, which brings together the BJP, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party. The Navi Mumbai event was intended as a routine political gathering, but it quickly turned into a flashpoint. Mhatre said she was present as a guest of honor, yet faced what she described as hostile behavior from individuals aligned with Naik.

The NCP leader, a former minister and a key figure in the coalition's NCP bloc, has not publicly responded to the allegations. This is not the first instance of friction within the Mahayuti. Since the alliance was cobbled together after the 2022 political crisis that toppled the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, partners have struggled to maintain a unified front. Seat-sharing disputes, turf wars over local appointments, and competing ambitions have repeatedly tested the coalition's cohesion.

Mhatre's decision to approach Fadnavis directly suggests that she believes the chief minister can mediate effectively. Fadnavis, who returned to the top post after a brief stint by Shinde, has often acted as the alliance's primary troubleshooter. His office has not issued a formal statement on the complaint, but sources indicate that the matter has been noted. The incident also highlights the personal rivalries that persist within the coalition. Mhatre and Naik represent different political traditions and constituencies, and their clash reflects deeper organizational tensions.

For the BJP, maintaining discipline among its own legislators while managing alliance partners is a delicate balancing act. Political analysts note that such internal conflicts, while not immediately threatening the government's survival, erode public confidence in the alliance's ability to govern effectively. The Mahayuti has already faced criticism for policy paralysis and infighting, and this latest episode adds to that narrative. As the complaint lands on Fadnavis's desk, the chief minister must weigh the need to placate a BJP MLA against the risk of alienating an NCP ally.

The outcome of this mediation could set a precedent for how future disputes are handled within the coalition. For now, Mhatre has made her position clear, and the ball is in the chief minister's court. The Mahayuti's internal mechanics will be tested once again as it navigates this latest challenge to its unity.