Eknath Shinde Reaffirms Leadership in Maharashtra's Development Push:

During the inauguration of the newly completed Amravati Airport and a commercial flight service, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde likened Maharashtra’s development to an aircraft. He described himself as the "pilot" when the project initially took off, with Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar as "co-pilots." Shinde stated that while the leadership role has now shifted to Fadnavis, the commitment and speed of development have remained consistent.

He emphasized that construction on the Amravati Airport had stalled under the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government. However, once the Mahayuti alliance took charge in 2022, the project resumed and was completed quickly under his watch.

Critique of Previous Government’s Track Record
Shinde criticized the earlier regime, claiming that several development initiatives and welfare schemes had either slowed or stopped altogether. He pointed out that the arrival of the Mahayuti government marked a turning point, reviving halted projects and accelerating state progress.

Political Dynamics Within the Mahayuti Alliance
Shinde’s leadership, especially after becoming Chief Minister with just 40 MLAs, has been a focal point of Maharashtra politics. His move split the Shiv Sena and ousted the Thackeray leadership. Although tensions existed between Shinde and Fadnavis in the initial phase, recent developments suggest efforts to streamline administrative cooperation.

To address internal concerns, the state government has issued a directive ensuring that administrative files are reviewed by both Deputy Chief Ministers—Shinde and Ajit Pawar—before reaching Chief Minister Fadnavis.

Backroom Meetings and Conflict Resolution
In a closed-door meeting earlier this year, Shinde reportedly raised concerns with a senior central leader about being undermined. Following that conversation, there has been a noticeable shift, with no decisions from Shinde’s previous tenure being overturned and no action taken against his party or departments.

Focus on Infrastructure and Regional Growth
The opening of the Amravati Airport, along with the launch of a major pilot training institute, demonstrates the government’s focus on regional infrastructure. These initiatives are expected to create jobs and stimulate growth, especially in eastern Maharashtra.