No Question of Defection After Shinde Meeting, Says CM Fadnavis

Mumbai | January 18, 2026- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday dismissed speculation of possible defections following Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s meeting with newly elected Shiv Sena councillors at a five-star hotel in Mumbai. He said there was “no question of defection” and termed the meeting a routine interaction with newly elected representatives.

Speaking after the Mahayuti’s victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Fadnavis clarified that the alliance remains united and will unanimously elect the mayor in Mumbai. He rejected claims that the gathering of councillors had any political motive beyond coordination.

Explaining the meeting, Fadnavis said that just as he was meeting newly elected councillors in Pune, Shinde was also interacting with new councillors in Mumbai. “He must have called everyone for the meeting. There is no question of defection,” the Chief Minister said.

The remarks come amid heightened political speculation after images of the meeting circulated widely, triggering rumours of possible realignments within the Shiv Sena. However, leaders of the ruling Mahayuti alliance have maintained that the government and alliance partners are firmly on the same page.