Fadnavis Resolves Mahayuti Dispute, Gives Nashik to BJP and Raigad to Sena

In Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has resolved the dispute between ruling allies—the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Sunetra Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—over guardian minister appointments for Nashik and Raigad districts. Under the settlement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained the Nashik post with the appointment of Girish Mahajan, while Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale was assigned Raigad.

The decision brings an end to a prolonged tug-of-war within the Mahayuti coalition. The disagreement intensified after Fadnavis appointed Mahajan as Nashik guardian minister and NCP MLA Aditi Tatkare as Raigad guardian minister on January 19, 2025. Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde strongly objected to those selections, prompting Fadnavis to stay the decision within 24 hours.

Shinde had sought the Nashik assignment for School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, who hails from the region. The BJP maintained that Mahajan, a close confidant of Fadnavis who previously held the role, should retain it. A BJP insider noted that the Nashik position carries increased significance due to preparations for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

In Raigad, the dispute was shaped by intense political rivalry between Gogawale and state NCP president and Raigad MP Sunil Tatkare. Tatkare’s daughter, Aditi Tatkare, is a two-term MLA representing Shrivardhan, while Gogawale is a four-term MLA from Mahad.

According to NCP insiders, the impasse was unlocked through an agreement under which the Shiv Sena helped Tatkare’s son, Aniket, secure an unopposed victory from the Konkan local body constituency in the recent MLC election in exchange for the Raigad guardian ministership.

This is not the first clash between the two parties over Raigad. During the previous government, the disagreement reached Union Home Minister Amit Shah before senior Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant was ultimately given charge of the district.

Guardian ministers in Maharashtra are cabinet ministers assigned to oversee district-level development, manage emergency responses, and head the District Planning Committee, which governs the allocation and spending of local development funds.