In a striking editorial shift, the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana has once again showered praise on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while sharply criticising Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Published on Wednesday, the editorial commended Fadnavis for his efforts to curb corruption and bring discipline to the state administration, particularly by rejecting the appointment of 16 personal staff members (12 of whom were allegedly recommended by Shinde’s faction) labeled as "fixers and brokers".

The piece hailed Fadnavis for halting "illegal activities" that it claims flourished under Shinde’s earlier tenure as Chief Minister, accusing Shinde’s administration of fostering a network of corruption involving "illegal tenders, fake works, and commissions". In a biting remark, Saamana alleged that Shinde’s "chief collector" had fled to Dubai with Rs. 10,000 crore, a claim that underscores the editorial’s scathing tone.

This is the second time this year that Saamana has applauded Fadnavis, following praise in January for his visit to Naxal-affected Gadchiroli. Political observers see this as a tactical move by Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, to align closer to Fadnavis and the BJP amid growing tensions between Fadnavis and Shinde within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. The editorial even invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent anti-corruption stance, suggesting Fadnavis could name Shinde and his associates as targets for Modi’s promised crackdown.

The praise for Fadnavis contrasts sharply with the potshots at Shinde, reflecting the ongoing rivalry between the two Shiv Sena factions since their split in 2022. As Maharashtra’s political landscape remains volatile, this editorial signals a potential realignment of alliances ahead of future electoral battles (with inputs from PTI).