Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to have lunch at NCP leader Sunil Tatkare’s home during his visit to Raigad on Saturday. This comes when tensions are rising among the allies in the BJP-led Maharashtra government over the appointment of guardian ministers. Earlier in January, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had to pause the appointment of Tatkare’s daughter, Aditi Tatkare, as the guardian minister of Raigad district after Shiv Sena raised objections. Shiv Sena leader Bharat Gogawale has accused Tatkare of blocking his nomination for the same position.

Shiv Sena spokesperson and minister Sanjay Shirsat claimed that Sunil Tatkare, a Lok Sabha MP, was trying to get closer to Amit Shah by inviting him to his home. He emphasised Shah’s visit wasn’t connected to the ongoing discussion about the guardian minister. “Amit bhai is a senior leader, and the issue of guardian minister is a petty issue for a leader of his stature,” he said.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule explained that Tatkare had invited leaders from the ruling alliance. “It is our tradition and culture. If Amit bhai is going to Tatkare’s residence, it is a good thing,” he added. He also clarified that leaders like Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena’s Gogawale, or himself had no reason to be upset over the visit. “There is no reason to see politics in it,” he stated.

An NCP leader mentioned that during Shah’s two-day visit to Maharashtra, which included a trip to Pune and visits to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s memorial and Raigad Fort, they had asked him also to visit the homes of their party leaders. “Whenever Shah comes to Maharashtra, he visits only the residences of BJP leaders. We requested him to also come to our homes to create an environment of mutual respect. He accepted the request and is starting the same with Tatkare’s residence,” the leader said.

In January, Shinde stepped in and halted the appointments of Aditi Tatkare and BJP leader Girish Mahajan as guardian ministers for Raigad and Nashik within just a day. Shiv Sena ministers Gogawale and Dada Bhuse had also claimed those positions.

According to Shiv Sena, Shinde was displeased with how the appointments were handled, stressing that he made decisions in consultation with all coalition partners during his time as chief minister. He was reportedly also frustrated with Fadnavis for overriding decisions the previous Shiv Sena-led administration made. The formation of the new government late last year was delayed, partly because Shinde was pushing hard for key ministries like home. There was also uncertainty about whether he would take on the role of deputy chief minister.