Amid rumours of a rift within Maharashtra's ruling alliance, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said, "Do not take me lightly". Shinde said, "I'm a worker of Balasaheb Thackeray and everyone should take me with this understanding." Referring to his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray in the undivided Shiv Sena, Shinde said, "When you took it lightly in 2022, I changed the government."