Deepening rift between Fadnavis & Shinde; and ‘Team Omie Kalani’—who is TOK ?

A deepening rift between Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is currently threatening the existence of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, though BJP leaders in Delhi insist that “all is well”. The Fadnavis government is “stable, and such posturing among allies is natural; all political parties, including those in alliance, are free to have their individual ambitions,” the BJP says.

But is it really so simple?

Advertisement

The conflict has intensified with Shinde Shiv Sena ministers boycotting a cabinet meeting in protest against the BJP’s alleged poaching of local Sena leaders ahead of key civic polls. A “file war” is also going on with Shinde directing his ministers’ files through him first.

Fueled by ambitions and survival, tensions are running high, and a reason is also Team Omie Kalani (TOK)—a local political outfit in Ulhasnagar led by Omie Kalani, son of former MLA Pappu Kalani. Last week, six former BJP corporators switched allegiance to Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and the TOK group, directly impacting saffron strength and support in the area.

The development in a part of Maharashtra was seen as a major realignment of the political equation in the city as well as the entire state ahead of municipal elections. The induction ceremony happened in the presence of Shinde’s son, Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde. The declaration that Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the Kalani group would jointly contest civic polls in Ulhasnagar as ‘Dosti Ka Gathbandhan’ was a red flag for the saffron side. Currently a BJP adversary, TOK officially allying with Shinde, along with defections, was seen as a major setback for the BJP.

It is another matter that eight years ago, the BJP had captured the MC with the help of the Kalani family; however, following internal disputes, the relationship went awry. In the Lok Sabha election, Omie Kalani campaigned only for Shrikant Shinde. Tensions have also been registered between BJP Ulhasnagar MLA Kumar Ailani and the Kalani group. Meanwhile, bolstering the BJP’s position, earlier this week, former Congress corporator Godhumal Krishnani, his son, and supporters switched over to the saffron side.