Overview

• Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde convened a closed-door meeting on July 14 to admonish Shiv Sena MLAs and ministers, warning that further misconduct would force him to take action.
• The reprimand followed high-profile incidents including Buldhana MLA Sanjay Gaikwad’s assault on a hostel canteen employee, Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat’s Income Tax notice and viral cash-bundle video, allegations of money exchanges against Sanjay Rathod and occult-ritual footage of Bharat Gogawale.
• Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stopped short of direct punishments but has publicly urged Shinde to rein in errant legislators to safeguard the Mahayuti government’s image.
• On July 16, Fadnavis extended an unscripted invitation to former ally Uddhav Thackeray to join the ruling coalition, highlighting the BJP’s openness to new alliance configurations.
• With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections looming, these moves underscore deepening tensions within the Mahayuti alliance and intensify speculation over its electoral strategy.