All’s not well among allies?

Three instances in the past few days have fuelled speculations that things are not hunky-dory between the BJP and ally Shiv Sena.

- SHAILESH GAIKWAD

First, a probe announced by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis into the allegations that the process to auction a hotel in Sambhajinagar was ‘managed’ for the benefit of Siddhant, one of the bidders and son of Eknath Shinde’s close aide, state social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat.

Shinde’s party colleagues claim that there was no vehement demand by the Opposition for Fadnavis to announce the probe which took even Shirsat, who was present in the council at the time, by surprise. Just before the issue was raised by Shiv Sena (UBT), two key members of the party in the council received a chit, they point out, wondering who was behind it.