Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has addressed the recent buzz surrounding full-page advertisements in prominent newspapers that featured only Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Shinde asserted that there is no competition among the Mahayuti allies to take credit for the government's work. He emphasized that he and Fadnavis are working together as a team.

Shinde's statement came in response to questions about whether the advertisements were an attempt by Fadnavis to portray himself as the key figure behind the Maratha reservation. The advertisements in question included images of Fadnavis paying floral tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and offering prayers to Lord Ganesh.

"We are not in a race to take credit," Shinde stated. He further added that the Mahayuti government has been working to deliver justice to both the Maratha and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities. Shinde believes that the validation of this work was already received in the last assembly elections.

While the source of the advertisements remains unknown, Shinde's remarks aim to dispel any notions of a rift or competition for recognition within the ruling coalition. He reiterated the importance of unity and collaboration among the Mahayuti partners, focusing on the development agenda of the state.

This isn't the first time advertisements featuring leaders of the ruling coalition have stirred political discussions. In June 2023, an advertisement issued by Shinde's Shiv Sena, which highlighted a survey showing Shinde as more "popular" than Fadnavis, caused a stir. This led to the Shinde camp releasing a second advertisement that jointly featured Shinde and Fadnavis, along with other prominent leaders. At the time, opposition leaders questioned the source of funds for such advertisements and raised concerns about the use of taxpayer money.

Shinde's recent comments underscore the government's focus on maintaining a united front and working together to address key issues such as the Maratha reservation and overall state development. By downplaying any sense of competition for credit, Shinde seeks to reinforce the image of a cohesive and collaborative leadership within the Mahayuti government.