Shinde skipped a “war room” meeting held by CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday to discuss crucial schemes and projects related to various departments, including Health, Housing, and Water Supply and Sanitation held by the Sena ministers. Shinde holds the Housing portfolio along with Urban Development. However, another Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, the NCP chief, attended the marathon meeting.

Apart from cancelling some other official engagements, Shinde also skipped the Cabinet meeting last week. Denied the top post this time, Shinde went into a sulk and vented his frustration openly. His decision to join the Mahayuti government and accept the Deputy CM’s position came at the eleventh hour on December 5, 2024.