Mahayuti intact, says NCP's Tatkare as finance portfolio row simmers in Maharashtra
Synopsis
NCP's Tatkare publicly defended Eknath Shinde amid rumours of intra-alliance sabotage, but the finance portfolio standoff is far from resolved. With NCP MLAs anxious about budget control ahead of local elections and the BJP reportedly reluctant to cede the ministry, the Mahayuti's unity is being tested — and the next move rests with Chief Minister Fadnavis.
Key Takeaways
NCP State President Sunil Tatkare on 17 July denied that Deputy CM Eknath Shinde lobbied against the NCP's finance portfolio claim.
Speculation arose after Shinde's recent meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi .
An NCP delegation led by Sunetra Pawar is set to meet CM Devendra Fadnavis to formally press the finance portfolio demand.
The BJP is reportedly considering offering Rural Development or Energy as alternatives, which NCP insiders say the party cadre will resist.
The portfolio vacancy stems from the death of Ajit Pawar in January 2026 , after which Fadnavis assumed temporary charge ahead of the state budget.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (Ajit Pawar faction) State President Sunil Tatkare on 17 July firmly rejected speculation that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had lobbied Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to block the NCP's claim to the state's finance portfolio. Tatkare's denial comes as the Mahayuti alliance faces persistent rumours of internal friction over the high-stakes portfolio assignment.
What Triggered the Speculation
Political corridors in Mumbai had been abuzz after a recent meeting between Deputy Chief Minister Shinde and Home Minister Shah in Delhi. Observers linked the visit to the NCP's public push for the finance ministry, particularly after NCP leader Jayant Patil met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to formally press the party's claim. Speculation quickly mounted that Shinde's Delhi trip was aimed at countering NCP's portfolio ambitions.
Tatkare Defends Shinde, Backs Alliance Unity
Tatkare pushed back sharply against the rumours, vouching for Shinde's track record as a coalition partner. 'Eknath Shinde is a seasoned leader who has successfully served as the Chief Minister in the past and is currently our Deputy Chief Minister. I do not believe he would ever interfere to prevent an ally from getting a specific portfolio. In my three years of working together, I have never felt that he acts in a way to restrict what allies receive,' Tatkare said.
He added that Shinde has historically maintained cordial ties with the NCP and that their collaboration has been marked by mutual respect and shared political success.
NCP Firms Up Its Finance Portfolio Demand
Despite the reassurances, Tatkare made clear that the NCP is not backing down. He revealed that an NCP delegation led by Sunetra Pawar is scheduled to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shortly to formally present the party's demand for the finance portfolio and resolve other pending alliance matters.
The stakes are high for the NCP's rank and file. A senior party functionary explained the anxiety within: 'NCP MLAs are highly anxious. With local elections and state-level political shifts on the horizon, not having an NCP leader heading the Finance Ministry means they lack direct control over budget allocations for their respective constituencies.'
BJP's Reported Hesitation and the Alternatives on the Table
Reports suggest the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reluctant to hand over finance given the state's strained fiscal position, and may instead offer heavyweight alternatives such as Rural Development or Energy. NCP insiders, however, indicate that party cadres are firmly resisting any such compromise, viewing the finance portfolio as the definitive marker of their authority within the coalition.
Background: How the Vacancy Arose
The portfolio dispute has its roots in the sudden passing of Ajit Pawar in January 2026, just before the state budget was due to be presented. His son Jay Pawar has publicly clarified that Chief Minister Fadnavis assumed temporary charge of the Finance and Planning department strictly out of administrative necessity at that critical juncture — a point the Pawar family has discussed directly with Fadnavis in high-level meetings. With the budget cycle now past, the NCP is pressing for the portfolio's return.
Whether Fadnavis accommodates the NCP's demand or the alliance tensions deepen will be a key indicator of the Mahayuti coalition's stability ahead of local body elections.
Point of View
The alliance is already under strain. The finance portfolio is not a routine administrative matter for the NCP; it is the primary lever of patronage politics, and losing it after Ajit Pawar's death would signal a permanent diminution of the faction's clout. The BJP's reported preference for offering Rural Development or Energy instead is telling: Maharashtra's fiscal stress gives the ruling party a plausible excuse to hold on to finance while appearing conciliatory. The real test of Mahayuti's cohesion will come when Fadnavis responds to the Sunetra Pawar delegation — and what he offers may determine whether the coalition holds through the local body election cycle.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the NCP demanding the finance portfolio in Maharashtra?
The NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) held the finance portfolio until the sudden passing of Ajit Pawar in January 2026 , after which CM Devendra Fadnavis assumed temporary charge ahead of the state budget. The party now wants the portfolio returned, viewing it as critical for budget control over their MLAs' constituencies, especially with local elections approaching.
What did Sunil Tatkare say about Eknath Shinde and the finance portfolio row?
NCP State President Sunil Tatkare dismissed speculation that Deputy CM Eknath Shinde had urged Home Minister Amit Shah to block the NCP's finance ministry claim. Tatkare said Shinde is a 'seasoned leader' who has never acted to restrict what alliance partners receive, and vouched for their three years of cordial collaboration.
Who triggered the rumours about Shinde opposing the NCP's finance portfolio?
Speculation arose after Deputy CM Shinde met Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi around the same time NCP leader Jayant Patil met CM Fadnavis to press the finance portfolio demand. Political observers linked the two meetings, suggesting Shinde may have lobbied against the NCP's claim — a charge Tatkare has denied.
What alternatives is the BJP reportedly offering the NCP instead of finance?
According to reports, the BJP is reluctant to hand over the finance portfolio citing the state's strained fiscal health, and may instead offer the Rural Development or Energy ministry. NCP insiders say party cadres are firmly resisting any such compromise.
What is the NCP's next step in the portfolio dispute?
An NCP delegation led by Sunetra Pawar is scheduled to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shortly to formally present the demand for the finance portfolio and address other pending alliance matters. The meeting is expected to be a key moment in resolving — or escalating — the intra-coalition standoff.
