Political speculation on the surprise meeting between Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar continues, as Shinde finally broke his silence in the Assembly. Political rivalry should not be mistaken for personal hostility, he said, adding that political opponents cannot be enemies.
The clarification came two days after Pawar's visit to Shinde's office inside the Maharashtra Assembly complex triggered speculation of political equations moving and realignment ahead of the state’s key political developments in the region.
'We Are Political Opponents, Not Enemies'
His meeting with the veteran leader, Shinde said, was nothing more than a courtesy and just to show respect, he said.
Shinde said, "As soon as I learnt that Sharad Pawar had arrived, I rushed to welcome him with a shawl and a coconut," he said.
We are political opponents, not enemies, he said, attempting to dismiss speculation about the meeting.
Why the Meeting Triggered Speculation
Sharad Pawar had visited the Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday and attended a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the long-pending Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute.
After the official meeting, Pawar went to Shinde's office and had discussions for nearly 15 minutes. He later held a meeting with NCP (SP) legislators in the Deputy Chief Minister's office.
With the unusual event of legislators' meeting immediately raising questions as to what kind of political discussions might take place behind the scenes.
More reports also said that Shinde had left a Cabinet meeting briefly to meet Pawar after learning that the veteran leader was waiting in his office.
Sanjay Raut Questions the Meeting
The development drew strong criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, whose party is an ally of Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
Raut questioned why Pawar chose to meet Shinde, calling the Deputy Chief Minister a 'traitor' over the 2022 Shiv Sena split.
He argued that meeting Shinde could damage Pawar's political credibility and claimed the interaction had upset alliance workers.
"We should not give legitimacy to Eknath Shinde by meeting him. We cannot be seen sipping tea with a traitor," Raut had said.
Raut Softens His Stand
But a day later Raut toned down his criticism and explained that there was no anger towards Sharad Pawar.
Pawar, whom he called the “tallest leader” of the MVA alliance, said his words just reflected the feelings of party workers.
While the MVA allies should keep Shinde politically isolated, Raut insisted there was no dispute with Pawar.
Supriya Sule Calls It a 'Storm in a Tea Cup'
Sharad Pawar's daughter and NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule also attempted to put an end to the speculation.
She said it was simply a courtesy call.
"It was just a short courtesy meeting. Really, nothing more than that," Sule told reporters.
She also rejected reports that a part of the NCP (SP) was considering joining the BJP-led NDA.
"I am in constant touch with all our eight MPs. We are all united," she said.
Sule also revealed that she had spoken to Sanjay Raut to clear up the misunderstanding.
"It was a misunderstanding. We are good now," she said.
Congress Sees Political Signals
But Congress seemed unfazed. Despite attempts to calm speculation, Congress did not seem to be convinced.
The senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan suggested that the meeting may have been carefully planned rather than coincidental.
"I think it was a pre-planned meeting. Something is happening," Chavan said.
He also claimed that there were attempts to persuade NCP (SP) Members of Parliament to switch sides.
"I have been informed by some people in the government that there is a bid to poach NCP (SP)'s MPs," he alleged.
While leaders of both Shinde’s camp and the NCP (SP) still describe the meeting as a courtesy meeting, the episode once again underscores the politics in Maharashtra, where even brief meetings between the senior leaders are enough to spark speculation about possible changes. Sule also revealed that she had spoken to Sanjay Raut to clear up the misunderstanding.
"It was a misunderstanding. We are good now," she said.
Congress Sees Political Signals
Despite all of this, Congress seemed unruffled.
The senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan suggested that the meeting might have been carefully planned rather than coincidental.
"I think it was a pre-planned meeting. Something is happening," Chavan said.
He also claimed that there were efforts to persuade NCP (SP) Members of Parliament to switch sides.
"I have been informed by some people in the government that there is a bid to poach NCP (SP)'s MPs," he said.
While leaders from Shinde’s camp and the NCP (SP) continue to regard the encounter as a routine courtesy meeting, the episode has once again highlighted the fluid political landscape in Maharashtra, where even brief meetings between senior leaders are enough to trigger speculation over possible realignments.
