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The disagreement involves social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat and minister of state Madhuri Misal
This exchange of letters has led to opposition voices pointing to strained equations between partners in the ruling coalition. Image/News18
Bubbling internal friction within sections of Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance has surfaced—this time over who has the authority to call departmental meetings. The disagreement involves social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat and minister of state Madhuri Misal, who are now locked in a letter war.
Recently, cabinet minister Sanjay Shirsat sent a strongly worded letter to his junior, Madhuri Misal, expressing displeasure that she was conducting departmental meetings and issuing directives to officials without his knowledge. According to Shirsat, while the allocation of subjects to ministers and state ministers was done by the government order dated March 19, 2025, any meetings related to the allocated subjects must be conducted under his chairmanship.
Shirsat’s letter points out that Misal, despite being a minister of state, has been independently summoning officials and issuing directions, bypassing the cabinet minister. He insisted that this is not only against administrative protocol but also creates confusion within the department. He further warned that in the future, any meetings related to his subjects must be organised only under his leadership.
In a sharp response, Misal wrote back stating that she too has the authority to convene meetings and that she does not require prior approval from Shirsat to do so. She argued that the rules empower state ministers to hold discussions related to their allocated subjects and claimed that she did not cross any line of protocol.
This exchange of letters has led to opposition voices pointing to strained equations between partners in the ruling coalition. They have also raised questions about whether Shiv Sena ministers are being sidelined by their BJP allies, given that both Shirsat and Misal come from different factions of the Mahayuti alliance.
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa…Read More
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa… Read More
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