Pune: Support for Eknath Shinde Grows Amid Mahayuti Discord; Banners Calling Him ‘Dev Manus’ Spotted in PCMC

Pimpri Chinchwad, 12th February 2025: Banners hailing Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde as a “dev manus” (godly man) have appeared in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The banners, spotted outside the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) headquarters and near Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk today, urge Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik not to alter Shinde’s decisions.

This banner comes amid reports of discord within Mahayuti, particularly between Shiv Sena and other allies, with both Sarnaik and Shinde reportedly unhappy, following recent developments that have stirred discontent among Shinde’s supporters. Eknath Shinde was notably excluded from the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority, despite holding the crucial Urban Development portfolio. Additionally, some popular welfare schemes initiated during Shinde’s tenure as Chief Minister have been discontinued by the current State Government.

The banners, which read “Sarnaik saheb please, Eknath Shinde saheb is a godly man. Don’t change his decisions,” are believed to be a response to these recent political developments. While the source of these banners remains unclear, some speculate they may have been put up by state transport employees.

This public display of support for Shinde comes amidst growing tensions within the Mahayuti coalition. The decision to exclude Shinde from the disaster management body and discontinue his welfare schemes has reportedly caused unrest among his faction of the Shiv Sena.