Ananda Dhoke, Shilparani Wadkar, and Roopsingh Dhal — all prominent figures from the Eknath Shinde–led Shiv Sena — were recently inducted into the BJP, a development that has escalated tensions within the ruling Mahayuti coalition ahead of the upcoming civic body elections. The move has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition and exposed internal friction despite the coalition’s recently announced “no-poaching agreement” among its partners — the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar–led NCP — aimed at preventing defections during the election season.
The BJP formally welcomed the three leaders into the party in the presence of Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan. Dhoke is a former Shiv Sena candidate from Sambhajinagar. Wadkar heads the district women’s wing, and Dhal is a senior leader from Ambernath and the former chief of the Jewellers Association. Their entry is being interpreted as a strategic but provocative move that challenges the unity of the alliance.
What makes the timing contentious is that the Induction happened just days after Mahayuti constituents publicly pledged not to recruit one another’s MLAs, leaders, or corporators to maintain stability during the campaign. As a result, the BJP’s gesture has fueled unease and irritation inside the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Heightening the friction further, Ravindra Chavan remarked that his commitment to “saving the Mahayuti alliance” extended only until December 2 — the polling day — after which he would speak openly. His statement has been widely seen as signaling a temporary truce rather than long-term cohesion.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde attempted to downplay the discord, calling the coalition “old, strong, and permanent,” stressing that it is based not on opportunistic needs but on ideological harmony. Yet despite Shinde’s reassurance, internal disagreements have become increasingly visible.
Opposition parties quickly capitalised on the situation. Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the UBT Shiv Sena, alleged that the BJP follows a “Use and Throw” policy and predicted that the Shinde faction would soon be discarded once it was no longer politically useful. Congress’s Mumbai President Varsha Gaikwad went further, claiming that the episode forces Mahayuti members to question whether they prioritise “power or self-respect,” suggesting the BJP is preparing to contest the civic polls independently by strengthening its base through targeted defections.
Signs of strain emerged earlier in the week when several Shiv Sena ministers reportedly skipped a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to protest alleged BJP poaching in Dombivli. Although Shinde did attend, the absence of his colleagues sparked speculation of a symbolic boycott. Fadnavis countered by reminding allies that the Shiv Sena had similarly induced leaders in Ulhasnagar and urged both sides to refrain from retaliatory recruitment.
BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule attempted to downplay the controversy, attributing the ministers’ absence to tight campaign schedules and arguing that recent crossovers were primarily due to ticket denials rather than sabotage.
To restore coordination, Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik announced after the cabinet meeting that the partners had agreed to reinstate their no-poaching commitment, effective immediately. Nonetheless, dissatisfaction persisted. In response to the escalating unrest, Shinde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi for a 50-minute discussion, warning that internal political sniping and defection battles were weakening Mahayuti’s election messaging and allowing the opposition to exploit the situation.
Shinde reportedly urged strict discipline and restraint among coalition members, cautioning that continued public infighting could undermine the alliance’s overall electoral momentum.
