Maharashtra Budget Balance Sheet: Eknath Shinde's Sena Left Behind As BJP, Ajit Pawar’s NCP Get Bigger Share

Last Updated:March 11, 2025, 16:34 IST

The BJP-led ministries have been allocated Rs 89,128 crore, the highest among all alliance partners. Ajit Pawar’s NCP, despite being the smallest party in the alliance, has received Rs 56,563 crore. Shinde’s Shiv Sena has been given only Rs 41,606 crore

(From left) Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. (PTI/CMO)

Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister (CM) and finance minister Ajit Pawar on Monday presented the state budget, sparking fresh tension within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

As expected, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has the highest number of ministers in the Maharashtra cabinet, received the biggest share of the budget. However, what has surprised many is that Ajit Pawar’s ist Congress Party (NCP) has secured more funding than Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, despite being the third largest party in the alliance.

This imbalance has led to speculation about internal dissatisfaction, especially within the Shinde camp.

THE DIVISION

The total budget allocation shows a clear division:

The BJP-led ministries have been allocated Rs 89,128 crore, the highest among all alliance partners.

Ajit Pawar’s NCP, despite being the smallest party in the alliance, has received Rs 56,563 crore.

Shinde’s Shiv Sena, which has more MLAs and ministers than Ajit Pawar’s NCP, has been given only Rs 41,606 crore, the lowest among the three parties.

Reacting to the division, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske said, “Funds get allocated to departments and not ministers. Hence it will be wrong to say that parties or ministers have got the funds, as these funds will be used for different projects and developmental works related to people only."

LIKE MVA

The development is significant because it mirrors a pattern seen in the previous government. When Pawar was the finance minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, Shinde, who was then part of Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, had accused him of sidelining the party by not allocating enough funds. At that time, Shinde’s frustration played a key role in his decision to rebel against Uddhav Thackeray and align with the BJP.

Now, with history seemingly repeating itself, political observers are closely watching Shinde’s next move. Will he confront Ajit Pawar over the funding disparity, or will he accept this financial setback to maintain stability within the alliance?

WHY THE BUDGET MATTERS

The budget is particularly crucial because the government has adopted a cautious spending approach. As the civic polls may happen this year across many corporations, each party in the alliance was hoping for a significant allocation to fund development projects in its stronghold. However, the fact that Shinde’s Shiv Sena has received the least amount of funding could weaken its position in the upcoming elections.

Sena ministers and MLAs are likely to feel the pinch, especially in constituencies where they need funds for infrastructure and welfare projects. On the other hand, Ajit Pawar’s ability to secure more funds despite being the third-largest party suggests his growing influence within the government. Having control over the finance ministry has clearly worked to his advantage.

The situation puts Shinde in a tricky position. His rebellion against Thackeray was largely based on the claim that Shiv Sena was not getting its due share in the government. Now, even in Mahayuti, he finds himself in a similar situation. If his MLAs feel short-changed, it could lead to internal unrest.

For now, the budget allocations have exposed yet another faultline in the Mahayuti alliance. Whether Shinde chooses to raise the issue or remains silent to avoid rocking the boat will determine how the alliance functions in the months ahead.

News politics Maharashtra Budget Balance Sheet: Eknath Shinde's Sena Left Behind As BJP, Ajit Pawar’s NCP Get Bigger Share