India, Feb. 15 -- At first glance, it was just a routine check on the Simhastha Kumbh Mela preparations in Nashik. But beneath the surface was a deputy chief minister trying to reclaim ground in a losing power struggle within the Mahayuti government.

The meeting, to review preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela to be held in Nashik in 2027, was convened by Eknath Shinde at the district collector's office, during a day-long tour of Nashik on Friday. Shinde, who is also Shiv Sena chief, was trying to flex his muscle in the midst of a standoff over the guardian minister's position for the district, and the sharing of power between the BJP and Sena in general.

Shinde's meeting was clearly aimed at muscling in on BJP minister Girish Mahaj...