Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has stated that NCP leader Ajit Pawar's entry into the state's Shiv Sena-BJP government does not threaten his position. Shinde attributed Pawar's rebellion to meritorious party workers being ignored and mentioned that it had occurred in the past with Sharad Pawar himself. Shinde dismissed rumors that he was on the verge of being replaced as baseless and affirmed his commitment to working with the BJP.
