Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday dismissed reports of a rift within the Mahayuti government, stating, “There is no one-upmanship.” He was addressing the media after the traditional tea party ahead of the Maharashtra Budget Session 2025. Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, briefed the media before the four-week budget session, which begins from Monday.

The state budget will be presented on March 10. Taking a dig at the Opposition the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance—comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, and the Congress—for boycotting the customary tea party, Fadnavis said, “This was a good opportunity for dialogue. By abstaining from such meetings, the Opposition is cutting down its own opportunities to engage with the government.”