The otherwise somber press conference on Sunday by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar turned surprisingly light-hearted as the three engaged in banter and shared laughs.
The flippancy was due to Shinde's comment that although the MahaYuti government is newly formed after its thumping victory in the Assembly polls, the top leadership is still well known—except for a role swap between him and Fadnavis.
“The budget session of the state legislature begins tomorrow. This marks the second session of the grand alliance government and the first budget session of the new administration after the assembly elections. Only two of us—Fadnavis and I—have exchanged our chairs, but Ajit Pawar’s seat as Deputy Chief Minister remains unchanged,” Shinde quipped.
Ajit Pawar, not to be outdone, snatched the microphone from Shinde's hand and shot back with a clever riposte: "You couldn't hold your chair and keep it stable as Chief Minister—what can I do about it?"
This clever comeback brought laughter to the entire auditorium, with the three leaders participating in the light moment.
Shinde, who had served as the Chief Minister of the MahaYuti government from June 2022 to November 2024, had hoped to continue as Chief Minister after the alliance's resounding win. But with the BJP becoming the single-largest party, Fadnavis, who had originally been Deputy Chief Minister in Shinde's government at the behest of his party's leadership, was made Chief Minister instead. As a result, Shinde could not help but assume the Deputy Chief Minister role together with Ajit Pawar.
During the press conference, Shinde insisted that even though there was the changing of hats, MahaYuti is united and solid.
Fadnavis, in support of Shinde's statement, underlined that their leadership is one that is a group effort to benefit Maharashtra. "Our chairs keep rotating," he said smiling.
Brushing aside any rumors of internal discontent, Shinde lightheartedly refuted the media narrative of an imagined cold war within the alliance. "Cold war. cold war. is there anything?" he mockingly asked Fadnavis.
Elaborating further, he added, "What cold war? All is cold here—nothing is between us. Our aim is not to hold on to power or to satisfy individual desires. We are concerned about what the people of Maharashtra want, not what comes our way as leaders. That is what sets MahaYuti apart from Maha Vikas Aghadi."
Shinde also appealed to the media to report responsibly. "I appeal to you to check facts before reporting. It will keep our image intact among the people. If we err, point it out. But also give credit to the good work done by the government. Also, fact-check opposition charges before publishing them," he urged.
He also disclosed that the government has already established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of a purported conspiracy during the earlier Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government to falsely accuse him and Fadnavis in a case.
There are certain sensational findings that will be revealed once the probe is over. But we have not made any public comment on it. The truth will surface on its own. We will not indulge in vendetta politics even with a strong majority," Shinde assured.
Read also| BJP Claims Possibility of Shivakumar Joining Party Cannot Be Ruled Out
Read also| I am born Hindu and will die Hindu, Says Karnataka DCM Shivakumar
