Nitin Gadkari’s dig amid Maharashtra political upheaval

Union minister Nitin Gadkari said those who were aspiring to become ministers are now sad as the field has got “crowded”, and they do not know what to do with their “stitched suits”.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari made a remark about the current political situation in Maharashtra on , that was seen as a dig at the Shiv Sena. Speaking at a program in Nagpur, Gadkari said, “Those who were wearing crowns are now begging for shirts.” This was interpreted as a reference to the Shiv Sena, which was once the dominant party in Maharashtra but has now been reduced to a minority in the state assembly. The Shiv Sena’s chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray, resigned on Wednesday, July 6, 2023, after the Supreme Court refused to stay the floor test that was ordered by the Governor. The BJP, which is the single largest party in the assembly, is now in the process of forming a new government.

Gadkari’s remark was seen as a way of gloating over the Shiv Sena’s defeat. However, he also said that he felt sorry for the Shiv Sena workers who had been “betrayed” by their leaders.

“I feel sorry for the Shiv Sena workers who have been betrayed by their leaders. They were promised that they would be made ministers, but now they are left with nothing,” Gadkari said.

The Shiv Sena has been facing a major crisis since Eknath Shinde, a senior party leader, revolted against the party leadership and joined hands with the BJP. Shinde is now the chief minister of Maharashtra, while Thackeray is the leader of the opposition.

It remains to be seen how the Shiv Sena will recover from this crisis. However, Gadkari’s remark suggests that the BJP is confident that the Shiv Sena is finished as a political force in Maharashtra. Opposition leaders have claimed that there is simmering discontent among the Shiv Sena and BJP MLAs since the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar joined the Maharashtra government on July 2.