Shinde’s minister expresses displeasure, others join him

Tanaji Sawant had said it would be difficult for them to take things forward if the situation continues. He was supported by other ministers from Eknath Shinde’s party. Shinde intervened to play a balancing act and calm the ministers down by directing officials to bring all the proposals. It was the first time the ministers from Shinde’s party have opened up against the government functioning in the last nine months.

Mumbai: Amid reports of friction among the ruling allies, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), state health minister Tanaji Sawant —who is from the Shinde faction — expressed his displeasure recently in a cabinet meeting — saying that their proposals and schemes are not being accepted and often being put on the backburner.

Mumbai, India - June 17, 2019: Newly sworn minister Tanaji Sawant (R) during the monsoon session at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai, India, on Monday, June 17, 2019. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/Hindustan Times) (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT Photo)

He had said it would be difficult for them to take things forward if the situation continues. He was supported by other ministers from Shinde’s party. Shinde intervened to play a balancing act and calm the ministers down by directing officials to bring all the proposals.

It was the first time the ministers from Shinde’s party have opened up against the government functioning in the last nine months.

On May 3, the state cabinet cleared five decisions. One of them was about setting up a mental health hospital at Jaysingpur in Kolhapur moved by the public health department. It was also approved by the cabinet but soon after that, the health minister outburst over delay in bringing up their proposals for approvals.

“Many of our proposals are not being brought to cabinet. They are not getting approvals. How would we perform like this? This is not done,” Samant is said to have told the cabinet meeting.

“He was supported by other ministers such as Abdul Sattar (agriculture minister), Gulabrao Patil (water supply and sanitation) among others. All those who were upset were from Shinde led Shiv Sena,” said another minister wishing not to be named.

“The ministers were unhappy at not getting a free hand and the delays in their approvals, which led to the frustration visible clearly in the meeting,” he added.

The chief minister was quick to respond to the situation and asked the officials to bring all the proposals. Sawant did not respond to calls and text messages.

The health department has witnessed three secretaries since this government took over. During the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), it was headed by Dr Pradeep Vyas. He was allegedly transferred over some differences with Sawant and Sanjay Khandhare was appointed as the health secretary. However, differences emerged between Khandhare and the minister’s staff, it is said.

Tukaram Mundhe was also removed as the state health commissioner after complaints from the health minister and was kept without posting for months.

There is already unease in the Shinde led party as many of the MLAs are said to be unhappy for not being made ministers in the coalition government. This is despite the government not functioning with full strength.

The Shinde-Fadnavis government was formed back in June 2022. For 41 days, it was only a two member-cabinet comprising the chief minister and deputy chief minister. On August 9, the cabinet was expanded by inducting 18 ministers and since then a 20-member cabinet has been functioning in the state.

The strength of Maharashtra ministerial council is 42.