Maharashtra political feud erupts after UBT murder, targeting deputy chief minister

The controversy ignited when the son of the slain UBT activist, alongside a minister from the ruling alliance, issued a statement alleging that Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Shinde had either turned a blind eye to or indirectly facilitated the killing. The accusations were made during a press conference that attracted extensive media coverage, prompting immediate rebuttals from Shinde’s office, which denied any involvement and called for a transparent police investigation. The incident has drawn sharp partisan lines, with opposition parties demanding the resignation of the deputy chief minister.

Underlying the dispute is a broader struggle for control over the UBT (Uttar Bharat Transport) sector, a lucrative arena that has historically been a source of patronage and political leverage in Maharashtra. The sector’s influence extends to local elections, where transport unions can mobilise large voter blocs. The murder of a prominent activist has exposed fissures within the ruling coalition, as factions vie for dominance over transport-related contracts and regulatory authority. This internal friction is compounded by allegations of corruption and misuse of power that have plagued the state’s political in recent years.

The fallout from the feud is already palpable: law‑enforcement agencies have intensified security around transport union offices, while civic groups have organised rallies demanding accountability. The political turbulence may affect legislative business, with the deputy chief minister’s ability to steer key bills under scrutiny. If unresolved, the dispute could trigger a reshuffling of ministerial portfolios or even precipitate a split within the coalition, altering Maharashtra’s governance trajectory ahead of the next electoral cycle.