Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tightrope walk to accommodate allies in his council of ministers has hit its first hurdle, mere days after his swearing-in for an unprecedented third term. The delicate dance of power-sharing has ignited murmurs of discontent from key Maharashtra partners - the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the breakaway NCP group headed by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

The Discord Over 'Demotions'
At the heart of the discord lies the perceived 'demotion' of senior NCP leader Praful Patel, a former Union Minister, to the rank of a Minister of State (MoS). Patel, known for his political heft, has refused the junior position, deeming it beneath his stature. "I was earlier a cabinet minister? being made MoS is a demotion," he stated firmly.

Ajit Pawar backed Patel's stance, stating the NCP was "ready to wait" for a full cabinet berth once its parliamentary strength increases after some months. However, his support for the Modi government remained unwavering.

The Shinde Sena's Aspirations
The turmoil doesn't end there. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, which bagged 7 Lok Sabha seats, had sought three ministerial berths ? one cabinet and two MoS posts. However, it received just one MoS position with independent charge for MP Prataprao Jadhav.

While the Sena has accepted the lone offering for now, it has also staked claim to its "share" when the cabinet is expanded ? a demand that may be tricky for the BJP to accommodate given the limited cabinet vacancies remaining.

BJP's Balancing Act
The BJP itself secured only 9 of Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats, a sharp decline from its 2019 tally of 23. Yet, as the largest NDA constituent in the state, it has bagged two cabinet berths and two MoS posts, including one with independent charge.

With the NDA government dependent on allies for its majority, the BJP finds itself in a precarious position ? trying to strike a balance between assuaging restless partners and preserving its own dominance in the power corridors.