In a bold political forecast, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has stirred Maharashtra’s volatile political landscape by declaring that neither Eknath Shinde nor Ajit Pawar will remain in power five years from now. Speaking at a public rally in Aurangabad, Owaisi lambasted the current Mahayuti alliance, calling it a fragile house of cards built on opportunism.
The Hyderabad MP’s remarks come amid growing tensions within the ruling coalition, which includes Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and Ajit Pawar’s NCP splinter group alongside the BJP. ‘This alliance is destined to crumble. In five years, you won’t see Shinde or Ajit Pawar anywhere near power,’ Owaisi asserted, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Owaisi’s prediction taps into the deep-seated rivalries that have defined Maharashtra politics since the 2022 government split. Shinde’s rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s dramatic exit from his uncle Sharad Pawar’s NCP have created unprecedented divisions. Yet, the alliance has held firm, navigating by-elections and local polls with BJP’s support.
Critics dismiss Owaisi’s comments as mere rhetoric aimed at bolstering AIMIM’s presence in the state. The party has been expanding its footprint beyond Hyderabad, contesting seats in Maharashtra and eyeing Muslim-dominated pockets. But Owaisi’s track record of sharp political commentary often resonates with opposition voices.
As Maharashtra gears up for future electoral battles, Owaisi’s prophecy adds fuel to the fire. Will the Mahayuti government weather the storm, or is a leadership shake-up on the horizon? Only time will tell, but the seeds of doubt have been sown.