Sharad Pawar's meeting in Shinde's office sparks tension, war of words between allies Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP)
A meeting between Sharad Pawar and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde has caused friction within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders criticized the meeting as a betrayal, while NCP (SP) defended it as standard political practice.
Why it matters
This internal conflict illustrates the fragile nature of political alliances in Maharashtra and the sensitivity surrounding cross-party interactions.
Veteran leader Sharad Pawar holding a party meeting in Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's office in Mumbai has turned into a flashpoint between Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), with both opposition allies on Thursday (July 9, 2026), targeting each other over the development.
The report presents the arguments from both sides of the political dispute without taking a stance.
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