The Indian Express reported that on the eve of Independence Day, the state’s General Administration Department issued the circular naming Tatkare and Mahajan for the duties. The move prompted speculation of discontent when chief minister Eknath Shinde and Gogawale skipped Tuesday’s cabinet meeting. Opposition leader Sanjay Raut claimed the episode showed Shinde had been “put in his place” by BJP leaders.

Shinde’s camp denied any rift, citing prior travel commitments — Shinde in Srinagar, Gogawale in Delhi — and maintained that their absence had been pre-informed. Gogawale reiterated his claim to the Raigad guardian ministership while insisting he had no objection to Tatkare’s flag-hoisting.

The disquiet, however, goes beyond symbolic snubs. Sena MLAs, including Sanjay Gaikwad, have complained of not receiving development funds for over ten months, hinting at deeper frustrations within the alliance. In Nashik too, sidelining Bhuse for the ceremonial role has stirred murmurs, with minister Uday Samant urging colleagues to treat the list as a mere protocol exercise, not a political verdict.

Taken together, the controversies over dietary diktats, ceremonial duties and unfulfilled ministerial appointments point to a coalition struggling to project unity — and increasingly vulnerable to both internal friction and opposition jabs.

With agency inputs