Mumbai: The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Sunetra Pawar-led NCP have locked horns with ally BJP, alleging misuse of power to influence the zilla parishad presidential election in Satara—marking the latest flashpoint between constituents of the ruling Mahayuti.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde directly targeted the home department headed by CM Devendra Fadnavis, accusing police personnel of manhandling Shiv Sena and NCP leaders during the zilla parishad presidential election held last week.
Following this, on Monday, Shiv Sena leader and Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe directed the state government to suspend Satara SP Tushar Doshi. The order, however, was later put on hold by the chairperson, Ram Shinde of the BJP.
The Sena and NCP alleged that two of its councillors were prevented from voting after which the BJP was able to elect its president. Shambhuraj Desai, minister from the Sena, also alleged he was manhandled by police personnel in Satara during the polls.
Speaking inside the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Monday, Shinde said, “The incident that Desai narrated, I’m a witness to it. Depriving people from voting is murder of democracy. The ministers were not even seen. They took the ministers away like accused persons. How did they take only two people to vote? This is the first time in the history of Maharashtra that I have seen such a situation.”
Replying to Shinde, Fadnavis said that “facts stated by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde will be investigated” and “action will be taken accordingly”.
A major commotion broke out Monday outside the Assembly when Shiv Sena leaders protested against the alleged manhandling of party leaders at the hands of the police. They also put up banners comparing Satara SP Tushar Doshi to Hitler.
Commenting on the allegations raised by Shinde, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora wrote in a post on X: “Deeply concerning reports from #Satara, where elected councillors were allegedly prevented from voting in Zila Parishad elections. Equally alarming are reports of a sitting Tourism Minister being manhandled by the police, an unacceptable affront to the dignity of a constitutional office & our democratic institutions.”
Deeply concerning reports from #Satara, where elected councillors were allegedly prevented from voting in Zila Parishad elections. Equally alarming are reports of a sitting Tourism Minister being manhandled by the police, an unacceptable affront to the dignity of a constitutional… https://t.co/MT5mi82iiv
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) March 23, 2026
Last week, Guardian Minister Shambhuraj Desai of the Sena and Cabinet Minister Makarand Patil of the NCP had to jostle with the police and administration to take their members to the Satara zilla parishad hall. Desai alleged that he was injured in the melee, while Patil was allegedly surrounded by 20-25 police officers. Their allegation is that the BJP took advantage of the commotion to elect its president. The Shiv Sena and NCP combine had won the zilla parishad polls in Satara, with 35 out of 65 seats. The BJP emerged second at 27 but won the post of president with the support of an independent candidate.
The Sena and NCP alleged that police prevented their members from voting.
About the incident, Desai said, “In my political career spanning 40 years, I have seen this for the first time. About 100 police personnel stopped me. Just like how they drag an accused, they dragged me by pulling both my arms. It’s still hurting and I’m taking medicine. This is unprecedented.”
Following this, Neelam Gorhe, deputy chairperson of the Legislative Council, directed the state government to suspend IPS officer Tushar Doshi, Superintendent of Police, Satara.
Minister Uday Samant said the government will comply with the directions.
However, BJP minister Jaykumar Gore sought a stay on the suspension. “Without knowing the ground reality, without getting proper information, just because a discussion took place inside the House, suspension of an IPS officer is not according to the rules. This needs to be stayed,” Gore said. Putting the suspension on hold, Ram Shinde, chairman of the Legislative Council, said the sequence of events will be investigated.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)