NEW DELHI, Aug 7: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday amid the Supreme Court hearing concerning the Shiv Sena election symbol dispute and the defection of six MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction to the Sena headed by Shinde.
According to party sources, Modi summoned Shinde to the national capital as the Prime Minister was holding discussions with leaders of NDA constituent parties on the political situation in the country following the recent Gen Z protests.
The discussions also covered developments in Maharashtra, with Modi seeking Shinde’s assessment of the political situation in the state. The two leaders reviewed various development projects, including works planned in the constituencies represented by the six MPs who recently shifted allegiance to the Shinde-led faction.
After the meeting, Shinde said the discussions focused on development initiatives in the respective constituencies of the MPs. He said cooperation between the state and Central governments would help accelerate these projects and provide greater support to the elected representatives.
Sources said the Supreme Court proceedings over the Shiv Sena election symbol, a possible expansion of the Maharashtra Cabinet and development-related issues in the state were among the matters discussed during the meeting.
The possibility of a future Union Cabinet expansion also figured in the discussions, sources said. Shrikant Shinde, son of the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, is reportedly among the names being considered for a ministerial position at the Centre.
The increased political strength of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has also triggered discussions about giving the faction a larger role in the Union government, according to party sources.
The meeting came shortly after the Supreme Court began hearing the dispute concerning the Shiv Sena’s election symbol following the defection of six MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led group.
Sources said Shinde had been on a three-day visit to his native village Dare in Maharashtra’s Satara district when the court proceedings began. He reportedly cut short the visit and travelled to Delhi the following day.
The six MPs had recently left the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and joined the faction headed by Shinde, adding to the political significance of the ongoing legal dispute.
Following his meeting with Modi, Shinde appealed to political parties to cooperate in the passage of important legislation and said Parliament should not be allowed to become stalled because of political differences.
He also backed constituency delimitation, describing it as an important democratic process aimed at ensuring fair and equitable representation for citizens.
Shinde said development remained a key priority and that coordination between the Centre and Maharashtra would help advance projects in the constituencies of the MPs who have aligned with his faction.